The Role of the District Chief Executive in the Local Governance System

The person appointed District Chief Executive is:

• The Chairperson of the Executive Committee of the Assembly.
• The 'manager' of the Assembly as a body corporate that can sue and be sued and that can own and dispose of property.
• The chief representative of the Central Government in the district.
• The Chairperson of the District Security Committee.
• The representative of Ministers of decentralized Departments in the districts.

Qualities of the District Chief Executive

A candidate for consideration for appointment to the position of District Chief Executive should be a person who should be:

1. Accountable to the people;
2. Capable of implementing the agenda of the incumbent President.
3. Efficient and effective in promoting development at the local level.
4. Able to mobilise the people to participate effectively in the governance of the district and in undertaking development projects in the district.
5.  Capable of ensuring that the Assembly is managed efficienty.

Criteria for the selection of candidates for appointment as District Chief Executives

The person to be selected for appointment as District Chief Executive should satisfy some or all of the following criteria:

(a) Should preferably at the minimum be a first degree bolder.

(b) Must have some connection with the district such as the following:

• Must be an indigene.

• Must be a long-term resident of the district.

• Must be familiar with and knowledgeable about the problems of the district.

• Must have some other proven connection or identification with the district.

(c) Must be at least a sympathizer of the ruling political party and a believer in the political agenda of the incumbent President;

(d) Must have a record of developmental and public service work;

(e) Must have practical work experience in either the public or private sector;

(f) Must have some expertise or experience in management;

(g) Must have a proven record of humanitarian work and concern for the poor and the marginalized.

(h) Women candidates should be preferred as a commitment to pro-women affirmative action and positive discrimination.