THE PRIME MINISTER LAUNCHES DECENTRALISATION REFORMS FOR MINISTRIES OF HEALTH AND PUBLIC WORKS
The Prime Minister, Dr Pakalitha Mosisili officially launched a Decentralization Reforms of the Ministries of Health and Social Welfare and that of Public Works and Transport in Maseru on Monday.
Decentralization means bringing power from the central government to local authorities with a view to deepen democracy and local governance.
Speaking at the same occasion, the Prime Minister commended the two ministries for piloting the process to transfer services, human resources, finance, infrastructure and vehicles to local authorities for the improve of the living conditions of the local communities.
Dr Mosisili stated that the journey to decentralize services has not been an easy one, however said the event marked history in the implementation of the Local Government Act of 1997 as amended.
He said the responsibility now remains with the community councilors to take charge of the services, equipment and human resources transferred to them and ensure that they improve service delivery at local level.
Dr Mosisili pointed out that the process is taking place at a critical time when the world is faced with global economic crisis and other challenges that include climate change.
''Due to the effects of these challenges, you should make a maximum use of the little resources you have for the benefit of the nation,'' he said.
The Prime Minister urged the councilors to avoid corruption by carrying out the duties as assigned.
He also appealed to the chiefs and the community councilors to stop power struggle but concentrate on developmental activities for the promotion of local government in Lesotho.
He appreciated the assistance provided by various development partners in Lesotho to ensure that the country achieves in the transfer of services from the central government.
Dr Mosisili highlighted that much has to be done to capacitate councilors and officers with skills to enable them to carry out their duties as allocated.
Speaking at the same occasion, the Minister of Health and Social Welfare Dr Mphu Ramatlapeng said the government demonstrated its commitment to implement democratic governance by launching the event.
She said the event marked the transfer of real political power from central government to the local government service and needed to be celebrated.
Dr Ramatlapeng said the two ministries will provide the overall guidance and advice, formulate policies and macro strategic plans, develop and enforce service standards as well as to supervise and implement quality assurance to mention a few.
She also thanked development partners for a financial support to enable the Ministry of Health to construct clinics in the remotest areas of the country and for construction of bridges under the Ministry of Public works.
At the same occasion, the Prime Minister handed over a fleet of vehicles from both ministries to the Ministry of Local Government.
The Minister of Public Works and Transport, Mr. Semano Sekatle together with Dr Ramatlapeng signed the service delivery compacts which they also presented to PM who in turn handed them to the responsible Minister of Local Government, Dr Ponts'o Sekatle.
Source: LESOTHO NEWS AGENCY 12/12/2011
