Municipal councils are facing challenges in establishing an effective local government system to enhance local level service delivery as well as strengthen citizens’ participation in decision making.
The Acting Minister for Local Government, Urban Development, Housing and Environment, Mr Timoci Lesi Natuva said this while opening a three day forum for Special Administrators and Chief Executive Officers at Ba Town Council today.
“The severe lack of capacity at municipal level tends to come in the form of inadequate managerial skills and technical expertise. Many municipalities also face problems of severe lack of funds in improving quantity and quality of basic services to citizens,” Mr Natuva said.
“Government has mandated that you collect all the arrears of rates in order to have financial resources to meet your needs in the delivery of service.”
Councils are in the process of reviewing the Local Government Reform Report with changes in the regulatory and policy framework.
The Minister said institutional reforms are vital in dealing with the socioeconomic and developmental challenges in Fiji.
“The regulatory framework is designed to set standards for basic level of services to be provided to citizens.”
The Minister said councils need to take positive steps to reach citizens at the grassroots level for local level growth and for the country’s economic development.
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