By NORMA SIAME –
THE decentralisation secretariat has urged civil servants not to resist the devolution process as it is an integral part of Government’s development agenda.
Decentralisation secretariat director Alfred Sakwiya who is in Luapula Province on a sensitisation programme, said the decentralisation policy was central to Government.
He said it was unfortunate that there was resistance in some places that stood to benefit the most from the process.
Though the transition process would have a few challenges, the few concerns that had cropped up were not insurmountable issues.
Mr Sakwiya had since called on Government ministries and departments not to drag their feet, but ensure they implement the programme.
“The civil service is the policy implementer and should rise to the occasion and adapt to the decentralisation policy so that people can begin to enjoy the benefits of decentralisation,” he said.
The decentralisation policy was aimed at empowering local people to allow them to decide their own development programmes.
There was need to take fresh interest in the governance system so that they could benefit from decentralisation.
He called on the media to be the ambassadors of the people by explaining the decentralisation policy and what it would mean for them.
Chipili District Commissioner Willie Mumba said Government had made it a point to realise the decentralisation policy.
Mr  Mumba said meeting people affected by the devolution exercise would help clear the misunderstandings that had surrounded the decentralisation policy in the country.
Government is implementing the decentralisation policy under the first phase, which had seen 13 Government departments reporting to councils.
The ministries of Home Affairs, Health, Education and the Disaster Management and Mitigation Unit which would all be now reporting to heads of councils in the country.