Africa-Press – Lesotho. Lesotho has finally taken the decision to have a National Association of Local Government (NALG) after being approached by the Local Cities and Local Governments on many occasions.
Speaking at the peer learning dialogue between Botswana and Lesotho, Director Membership Development, Networks and External Relations, Charles Patsika said he is happy that Lesotho has finally decided to join the 55 countries in Africa that already have the NALG as they had already targeted.
He said their main mission as the United Cities and Local Government (UCLG) is to promote decentralization and development in Africa and they also hope that the security systems in Africa can allow them to introduce the NALG in all African countries.
He added that there are certain standards that a country needs to reach to be able to form the association and Lesotho has met such, a sign that it has matured in decentralization.
“Lesotho is ready as it has the local government that is seen to be strong and we believe it will have a strong participatory association.
“African citizens face a myriad of challenges that require cooperative efforts,” he said as he mentioned that urban areas have more challenges of people flooding in to look for jobs and they have to work hard together to address those challenges.
President of Botswana Association of Local Government, Reverend Muruakgomo on the other side said Botswana is going to be a peer to Lesotho in setting up the association so that it becomes a success and Lesotho cannot do its best without learning from the others.
He said the association is going to shape a way for Lesotho into developments and decentralization is the key as decisions are best made at the lowest level of our communities.
Minister of Local Government and Chieftainship Habofanoe Lehana also applauded the initiative which he they will never regret taking the decision to be part of the association. He said as the minister of local government will offer support to the association so that it works for the best of the Basotho nation.
He said the Lesotho Local Government Association (LALA) is going not going to throw stones at the government but rather make recommendations as well as help to shape the future of cities.
The LGA seeks to promote better local government; it maintains communication between officers in different local authorities to develop best practice.
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