By CHILA NAMAIKO –

SOUTHERN Province Permanent Secretary Sibanze Simuchoba has said it is important for public service workers to critically understand the National Decentralisation Policy (NDP) aimed at improving the delivery of services to communities.
Mr Simuchoba said the Decentralisation Policy had become an important tool for many countries in advancing their economies owing to the decentralised system of governance.
He said it was for this reason that the Government was embracing the policy to help speed up the enhancement of service delivery to the lowest levels of communities.
“We are all duty-bound to adequately explain to the general public that the process of devolution is aimed at improving delivery of services in the public service. There is, therefore, no reason for any apprehension,” Mr Simuchoba said.
Mr Simuchoba was speaking in Choma during a provincial sensitisation meeting on sector devolution held at Choma Trades Institute.
The meeting was aimed at disseminating information on specific milestones achieved by the education sector in the implementation of the revised NDP.
The revised policy was launched in July 2013 by late President Michael Sata.
Mr Simuchoba said the Government meant well in its plans to decentralise some functions to local authorities, hence the need for civil servants to help the masses in understanding the policy.
The local authorities in the country were called on to ensure adequate preparations were put in place in time for the devolution process.
Mr Simuchoba commended the initiative by the Ministry of General Education for undertaking sensitisation campaigns to inform the masses about the devolution process, particularly those falling under the ministry.
He called for more sensitisation campaigns to inform mainly the affected persons about the devolution process to prepare them for their eventual transfer and reception into councils.