The Deputy Minister of Urban and Rural Development has expressed concern about the non-availability of accounting officers at most Regional Councils and Local Authorities. Natalia |Goagoses says the frequent suspensions of Chief Regional Officers and Chief Executive Officers are crippling the operations of the affected local authorities. |Goagoses noted that there is a need for the Ministry to look into the issues of appointment, suspensions and renewal of employment of contracts of accounting officers of subnational governments. She called for teamwork and the strengthening of communication between local authority councilors, staff members and the community they serve. The Urban and Rural Development Deputy Minister made the remarks at the 4th session of a series of meetings that are aimed at strengthening working relations among councilors and staff working in Regional Councils and Local Authorities.