Opposition MP and former Minister for Local Government Premila Kumar yesterday accused Government of allowing “failed politicians” to run municipal councils across the country.
Speaking in Parliament, Ms Kumar said the appointment of special administrators who were also acting as chief executive officers (CEOs) had created conflicts of interest and contributed to delays in proper recruitment.
She questioned the Minister for Local Government, Maciu Nalusima to provide an update on the way-forward to appoint CEO’s for councils.
Mr Nalusima said Parliament was not the right forum to discuss this issue.
“It is very disappointing, Mr Speaker,” Ms Kumar said in response to the Minister.
“As Minister for Local Government, he should know his role. He appoints the special administrators in all towns and cities, and they themselves appoint themselves as CEOs or acting CEOs.”
“You can see the conflict of interest.” She claimed that eight municipal councils currently have no substantive CEOs, and that many of the administrators were political appointees.
“They are all failed politicians who have been appointed there,” Ms Kumar told Parliament.
“When you talk about cleaning up, you should start from there.”
In response, Minister for Local Government Maciu Nalusima defended the recruitment process, saying it was being handled professionally and transparently.
“This question should not even be asked in this august House as it relates to an operational issue,” he said.
“Municipalities have their own structures and policies that govern the recruitment of CEOs.”
Mr Nalusima said the Coalition Government had engaged two independent recruitment agencies — KPMG and Maxumise — to oversee the selection of CEOs
