Help on way for Regional Councils

RELENTLESS problems of mismanagement afflicting most regional councils could soon be addressed if various initiatives by the Ministry of Regional and Local Government and Housing are anything to go by.

On Tuesday, Minister Joel Kaapanda unveiled a detailed Code of Conduct and Standing Rules for regional councillors to add to existing instruments aimed at enhancing their professionalism, integrity and competence in executing their duties. “I am convinced that honourable regional councillors will now be able to run their councils in an efficient and effective manner that will benefit the local residents who elected them into office,” Kaapanda said, before handing copies of the document to governors of all the 13 regions.”We are reforming the system at local and regional levels to improve their operations… there must be significant improvement in terms of management.”The Code of Conduct, among others, prohibits members of regional councils from directly or indirectly soliciting and receiving gifts or favours that may influence the exercise of their functions.The elected officials may also not engage in any transaction, take up any position or function, or have any financial and commercial interests that are incompatible with their office, functions and duties.Apart from stipulating punitive actions to be taken against members who contravene these regulations, the Code sets out guidelines for the relationship between elected councillors and their communities, as well as employees of the regional councils.”A member [of the regional council] must endeavour to avoid such ties of personal friendship with any staff member that could result in imbalances in the normal member-staff members relationship to the detriment of the public,” the document states.At the same occasion, Minister Kaapanda launched the newly created Regional Governors Trust Fund and subsequently signed the Deed of Trust document with all 13 governors.He said that the fund would be to channel development funds allocated to the regions by the Ministry of Fisheries and Marine Resources through equity participation in the wholly Government-owned Fishing Corporation Company (Fishcor).”The purpose is to make sure that all regions have equal access to and benefit from the fund.The money will be used to fund development projects that are geared towards the general upliftment of the communities,” he declared.Chairperson of the Governors Trust Fund, Oshana Regional Governor Clemence Kashuupulwa, explained that regional governors would be expected to submit project proposals before they could benefit from the fund.The proposals will be assessed by a board of governors before being recommended for approval.”I am convinced that honourable regional councillors will now be able to run their councils in an efficient and effective manner that will benefit the local residents who elected them into office,” Kaapanda said, before handing copies of the document to governors of all the 13 regions.”We are reforming the system at local and regional levels to improve their operations… there must be significant improvement in terms of management.”The Code of Conduct, among others, prohibits members of regional councils from directly or indirectly soliciting and receiving gifts or favours that may influence the exercise of their functions.The elected officials may also not engage in any transaction, take up any position or function, or have any financial and commercial interests that are incompatible with their office, functions and duties.Apart from stipulating punitive actions to be taken against members who contravene these regulations, the Code sets out guidelines for the relationship between elected councillors and their communities, as well as employees of the regional councils.”A member [of the regional council] must endeavour to avoid such ties of personal friendship with any staff member that could result in imbalances in the normal member-staff members relationship to the detriment of the public,” the document states.At the same occasion, Minister Kaapanda launched the newly created Regional Governors Trust Fund and subsequently signed the Deed of Trust document with all 13 governors.He said that the fund would be to channel development funds allocated to the regions by the Ministry of Fisheries and Marine Resources through equity participation in the wholly Government-owned Fishing Corporation Company (Fishcor).”The purpose is to make sure that all regions have equal access to and benefit from the fund.The money will be used to fund development projects that are geared towards the general upliftment of the communities,” he declared.Chairperson of the Governors Trust Fund, Oshana Regional Governor Clemence Kashuupulwa, explained that regional governors would be expected to submit project proposals before they could benefit from the fund.The proposals will be assessed by a board of governors before being recommended for approval.