Q FM Africa's Modern Radio
YALI Governance Advisor Isaac Mwanza
Government has been called upon to provide clear guidance on the role that Mayors and Council Chairpersons are supposed to play in government.
Young African Leaders Initiative (YALI) Governance Advisor Isaac Mwanza notes that there seems to be confusion on the role that mayors and councilors are supposed to play in government.
Mr. Mwanza says there is need for the nation to be guided on what exactly is the status the two elective positions and whether they are state functionaries or not.
He adds that YALI agrees with stakeholders suggesting that the matter be referred to the Constitutional Court for determination and interpretation.
And Mr. Mwanza has called on President Edgar Lungu to direct the Minister of Finance to stop paying sitting allowances to Members of Parliament who are already on full time salary and gratuity as part of the austerity measures to cut down on government expenditure.
He says at a time when fuel subsidies have been removed and ordinary citizens are expected to sacrifice, there is no justification to allow Members of Parliament to continue getting sitting allowances when they are also drawing salaries and are also entitled to hefty gratuities at the end of their tenure of office.