The 6th,Dec, 2013 will remain a memorable day for
the Ntoroko District Local government when all Politicians and technocrats from
Sub county to District level converged at Allan’s Resort,Fortportal to discuss
pertinent development concerns for the District and capacity building staff as
a way of designing a robust strategy of pushing the District ahead in
Development as well as competing with other Districts.
 |
| Participants from different lower local governments and District headquarters |
Good Hope Foundation for rural Development(GHFRD) under
RWECO contributed towards the successful organization of the Coordination
meeting that brought together all the District, Sub county technical and
political teams totaling to Seventy six(76) Participants including; The LCV
C/Person, The Chief Administrative Officer(CAO), Chief Finance officer(CFO),District
Head Human resource, District Planner, District Naads Officer, District
Education Officer, District Health officer, Secretary for service commission,
LCiii Chairpersons from all eleven sub counties, Sub county Chiefs and Naads
service providers.
Among the topics discussed were; Revenue sources for Local
Governments and the legal framework governing Financial Decentralization, Roles
of Various stakeholders in Revenue mobilization and utilization, Revenue
Performance, Revenue mobilization strategies for Local governments, collection,
Recording ,accountability and queries raised by the Auditor General on revenue,
and Risk management in the implementation of public services.
 |
| Departmental heads, subcounty chiefs,LCIII C/Persons in attendance |
On behalf of the
District Administration, The CAO, Mr.Allan Ashaba presented the major Challenges
still affecting the successful implementation and delivery of services to
citizens as follows;
·
All District local governments lacking official
administrative headquarters whereby the District Headquarters are housed by
Kibuuku primary school, Nombe sub county in a temporary structure, Karugutu sub
county in a rented house, Bweramule sub county having no structure, Rwebisengo
sub county just yet to construct offices, Kanara sub county in a temporary
structure and Butungama sub county in a rented house.
·
Most Local governments including the District
failing to have mandatory sittings because of the limited revenue.
·
Service delivery challenges whereby Development
projects are not adequately funded by the development grants such as; Health
centers, Roads, Water sources and schools.
·
Limited monitoring of the implementation of
council programmes and projects because of limited funding.
·
Failure to co-fund projects-LGMSD,NAADS
·
Inadequate operation and maintenance of
Boreholes, Schools and Health units among others due to limited funds
 |
| The CAO,Mr Ashaba Allan, addressing participants on the status of service delivery in as far as service delivery is concerned |
In the drive of
revenue mobilization, the following challenges were highlighted as being
encountered;
·
Limited revenue sources as a result of poor
mobilization.
·
Conflict of interest whereby most projects are
tendered by relatives of politicians or supporters/confidants of technical
staff.
·
Limited political will to ensure that revenue is
realized as awarded-calling for waivers.
·
Personal interests out competing institutional
interests, like most cooperatives interested in making huge profits.
·
Laxity by technical staff not respecting the
agreements signed between tenderers and Lower local governments.
·
Disasters and conflicts in some areas especially
along DRC Border.
·
Failure of the lower local governments to start
their own markets or partner with private partners.
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| The Chief Finance Officer,Mr. Kyamakya John strengthening participants' capacities in Financial management |
Major Out puts of the
Coordination meeting.
·
Leaders making a resolution that all Sub county
chiefs work closely with the councils and make sure at least one market is
established for their respective Sub Counties or sign Memorandum of understandings
(MOUs) with the already operating markets managed privately, as away of
boosting revenue collections.
·
All political and technical leaders at District
and sub county levels agreeing to work together putting a side their political
and personal grudges for the betterment of the District.
·
Leaders resolving to utilize the opportunity of
NGO community structures as a platform of information sourcing and dissemination
in communities as well as basing on the structures to evaluate leaders’
performance.
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| Mr.Allan Ashaba giving feedback. |
Conclusively, the Local council Five Chairperson Hon. Kyamanywa
Timothy appreciated the opportunity set by the retreat for all District leaders
to look at their mandates, roles and be able to chart a way forward in
improving service delivery.
