MPs, councillors urged to follow procedures

Working relationships between members of Parliament (MPs) and ward councillors could improve if both parties followed local government and development planning systems, procedures and structures that exist in the district for the implementation of different development projects.

Director of human resource management and development, Arthur Liwonga, said this on Thursday in Ntchisi during training of ward councillors, MPs and chiefs on local government and development planning systems.

“We have procedures how the two should handle development issues in their areas, using structures such as village and area development committees. If their relationships are sour it’s because they don’t follow the procedures by leaving out the structures,” said Liwonga.

Ntchisi District Council chairperson Davie Nkhukuzalowa, said there is a big gap in the way MPs and councillors work in the district.

“Most MPS disregard councillors in development projects. They use Constituency Development Fund (CDF) without involving councillors,” he said.

He said there is hope that the guidelines will help both parties to respect their positions and appreciate their role in the development of their areas.

Among others, the council was trained on how to conduct local authority business, decentralisation, local government systems and how to develop plans for development. n