26 Mar 2014

Decentralisation is the best way to run a state, Botswana Association of Local Authorities (BALA) president, Rev. Mpho Moruakgomo, has said.

Rev. Moruakgomo was updating members of the media on Tuesday, March 25 about the ongoing preparations for the 2014 BALA members’ general assembly, which would be held in Maun from May 13 to 15.

He said through decentralisation, citizens were afforded an opportunity to participate effectively and meaningfully in the decision making process and were also given the choice of knowing about issues affecting and the resources that had been availed.

“We believe in local government and development of local government means that things happen because the people who are affected are the ones who are going to make them happen. Citizens at community level, BALA president said, knew what they wanted better and were the ones that were able to make decisions and priorities of things that they wish could be done".

This, he said, was why “we believe that as nations, we must decentralise and allow citizens to take greater responsibility for their lives.”

An effective decentralisation, Rev. Moruakgomo said, would lead to greater community resilience where local communities would know that solutions to their problems must come from amongst themselves.

Through the general assembly themed: “Celebrating 30 years of Developmental Local Government,” he said, BALA would discuss developmental issues relevant to Botswana.

Furthermore, he said as a local government fraternity, they would be celebrating the year of developmental local government, adding that ,2014 is the international year of developmental local government and was celebrated all over the world.

“Thirty years because it coincides with the 30 years anniversary of BALA, as it is now 30 years since the Association has been in existence as a voice of organised local government in the country.We could have possibly held this before the beginning of the year, but due to other pressing national issues, we were not able to do it last year,” he added.

The voice of local government, Rev. Moruakgomo said needed to be heard in shaping the post 2015 global development agenda.

He also said much still needed to be done in achieving the Millennium Development Goals, including at the local level- as they have an important role to play in development.

The Vice President, Dr Ponatshego Kedikilwe is expected to officiate at the event. In addition, the event is also expected to attract international speakers and representatives from the region, Non-governmental organisations and the private sector. Ends