Mozambican president says corruption most urgent challenge for local administration

MAPUTO, March 11 (Xinhua) -- Mozambican President Filipe Nyusi said here on Monday that corruption in local authorities has been the biggest obstacle to the development of districts, and he advised municipal officials to build integrity and regain the trust of the people.

Nyusi was speaking during the opening of the 10th National Meeting of local Authorities, which brought together presidents of local municipalities from all over the country, members of the central government and cooperation partners.

"There is a lot of corruption in the local authorities," he said. "The lawsuits are many and we do not have enough space in jails."

Misapplication of funds has tarnished the governance of local authorities and made people lose trust in the leaders, Nyusi said.

"The provision of basic services should not represent additional costs to citizens because of unlawful collection of money," he said.

Transparency and integrity, accountability, participation and inclusion are essential prerequisites for the consolidation of national unity and peace, as well as the deepening of participatory democracy, good governance and the promotion of integrated development, Nyusi said.