(Recommendations of the Constitutional Review Commission, 1995)
"Overwhelmingly, petitioners throughout the country wanted to see an
effective well constituted local government structure, which is readily
responsive to the needs of the people. The present structure in their view
was totally ineffective.
They looked forward to a structure which would operate smoothly from
province downwards to district level. Petitioners felt that in order for the
needs of the people at the lowest level to be adequately addressed by the
administration, there was a need to devise a clear, workable and dynamic
administrative structure. For instance, they point out that there existed no
competent office at the district level to co-ordinate government affairs. Thus
the problems at grass roots could not be resolved or properly addressed.
Therefore the Commissioners recommended that, in addition to the office
of the Assistant Minister for the province, the offices of the Provincial
Commissioners be established with full powers and defined responsibilities
aimed at yielding results. The Provincial Commissioner will be a senior civil
servant appointed by the Civil Service Commission. He should co-ordinate
the activities of all the Districts and Sub-Districts in the Province as well as
linking the activities of the Provincial Government with those of Central
Government.
The petitioners equally supported the idea of the office of District
Commissioner at district level. There was universal agreement that the
administrative power vacuum presently being experienced by the people at
district level could be filled by the establishment of the office of the District
Commissioner.
The Commission recommends the establishment of the office of the
District Commissioner. As with the Provincial Commissioner, the District
Commissioner should be a civil servant appointed by the Public Service
Commission.
In order to fill the perceived power vacuum at the district level in the postOne-
Party era, the Commission recommends that the functions of the District Commissioner should include the supervision of the general
administration of the district and councils, as well as the co-ordination of
government and civic activities as between district and province."
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