Government says people, who sit on development committees, such as Area and Ward development committees are not allowed to practice active politics.
Provincial Local Government Officer, Alex Bwalya, says this is because sitting on such committees entails spearheading community development.
He explained that serving on such committees is open to all stakeholders in all districts, but emphasized that once on the committee, members are not allowed to practice active politics.
Mr. Bwalya also says committee members are oriented on guidelines and dos and don’ts of their work.
He also explained that the province is in the process of ensuring that all districts have the committees, as some councils do not have.
Mr. Bwalya was responding to some calls from people in Chipata district, that government must ensure that competent people are selected to sit on area and ward development committees.
The residents also said that government must ensure that a trend where only those close to ward councillors are selected to sit on committees ends.