adminurging member states to lobby their governments to support the institutionalisation of local government as a sub-committee of the regional body.
The ministers want the regional body to adopt their resolution at the Sadc summit to be held in Luanda, Angola, in August.
The meeting is part of efforts to achieve regional integration, share experiences and craft uniform legislation to administer local government in the region.
In attendance yesterday and today are permanent secretaries, chairpersons of local government associations and senior regional local government officials. The ministers meeting will tomorrow officially adopt recommendations and proposals made by the senior officials.
Vice President John Nkomo is expected to give the keynote address tomorrow after which the meeting would be officially closed.
Namibian secretary for regional, local government, housing and rural development Mr Erastus Negonga said the institutionalisation of local government would elevate the profile of the sector and afford it official representation at the Sadc headquarters.
“Our submission should be made to the council of ministers and heads of states in Luanda this year. We should spare no effort and time to ensure this agenda item receives the attention of the heads of states,” he said.
By yesterday Zimbabwe, Zambia, Namibia, Angola and Botswana were in attendance with delegates from Mozambique, South Africa and DRC expected.
Tanzania, Mauritius, Malawi and Seychelles sent in apologies but were expected to be represented by their ambassadors here.
At its last meeting in Luanda, Angola, the forum agreed that Angola, Botswana and Namibia should actively lobby to the Sadc executive secretary for the inclusion of the item of institutionalisation on the agendas of the Sadc Council of Ministers meeting and the heads of state summit in August 2011.
The three member states were also tasked to sensitise and lobby individual member states on the matter.
Having a committed desk at the Sadc headquarters would help in the mobilisation of funding for local government in the sub-region as well as strengthen information flows among and between member states.
Officers manning the desk would periodically update information on the state of local government in the region.
Online Reporter