The Ministry of Local Government, Chieftaincy and Religious Affairs has directed Metropolitan, Municipal and District Assemblies (MMDAs) in possession of Nissan Patrol four-wheel-drive vehicles to maintain them in good working condition for use by Traditional Councils within their respective jurisdictions.
In a directive dated October 22, the Chief Director, Amin Abdul-Rahaman, said the Minister had instructed the Assemblies to ensure the vehicles were maintained to facilitate traditional authorities’ official movements and engagements.
“In recognition of the important role of Traditional Councils in local governance, customary administration, dispute resolution, community mobilisation and development, appropriate logistical arrangements must be made to facilitate their official movements,” the directive stated.
The Assemblies have been instructed to establish administrative arrangements to facilitate the use of the vehicles for official travel and other authorised engagements, subject to agreed scheduling and accountability procedures.
They are also expected to make budgetary and logistical provisions for routine servicing, insurance and other essential operating costs, in line with applicable financial and procurement regulations.
The directive explicitly prohibits the Assemblies from selling or transferring the vehicles, stressing that “no Assembly shall auction, dispose of, transfer or otherwise alienate its existing Nissan Patrol four-wheel-drive vehicles.”
It added that the vehicles “are to be preserved, repaired where necessary and maintained for the intended purpose of facilitating official travel by Traditional Councils”, unless otherwise authorised in writing by the appropriate competent authority in accordance with applicable laws and regulations.
The Ministry has directed all MMDAs to give the matter priority and ensure that their administrative, transport and finance units take immediate steps to implement the directive.
“Regional Ministers are requested to monitor compliance by Assemblies within their respective regions,” the letter stated, adding that the directive should be treated as urgent and for immediate compliance.