06 Jun 2018

Government has rejected the proposal to upgrade sub-districts to fully fledged districts based on the recommendation of the commission that the size of the district alone had no direct impact on service delivery.

Assistant Minister of Local Government and Rural Development, Ms Botlogile Tshireletso said the internal organisation of the district, capacity of staff and degree of delegation appeared to have a more direct impact on service delivery hence the establishment of service centres across the country and decentralisation to bring services closer to the public.

The MP for Nkange, Mr Edwin Batshu had wanted to know whether the ministry would consider transforming some of the sub districts, including Tutume Sub-district, into fully fledged districts to improve efficiency and effectiveness in service delivery.  Ms Tshireletso said the arrangement was adequate and that it did  not necessitate transforming some of the sub districts, including Tutume Sub-district into a fully-fledged district.

She noted that the proposal surfaced during the second Presidential Commission on the Local Government Structure of 2001, adding that the proposal was premised on the potential of enhancing service delivery by upgrading sub districts to fully fledged districts. Ends