The Minister of Urban and Rural Development has raised concerns about poor financial management and weak governance in some regional councils and local authorities.

James Sankwasa warned that unaccountability slows down development and undermines service delivery while addressing the regional and local authority councillors' induction meeting at Mariental.

Sankwasa said several regional councils and local authorities have not been properly audited for years, labelling it a "gloomy picture" of governance.

He emphasised that the provision of urban housing and the proper management of land are the legal responsibilities of local authorities, urging office bearers to put aside political slogans.

"The reason this country went to war was not for bread. It was for land. People died to have access to land. Why are we not having access after 30 years? 35 years of independence. Why are we being continually denied access to land? And who is denying us? The very people who came and said, 'We want to bring change.' Where's the change that you promised people? Where is it?"

He warned that some local authorities are selling serviced land to private investors instead of using government funds to serve the poor.

"When these private investors have been given serviced land, you are selling it at $7 or $6 per square metre because it's not serviced. Yet, you are giving the property to private investors. Take it further. Who is the target market of these private investors? Is it the lower class of our citizens? Is it the upper one? If it's the upper one, the next question will be, 'Where is the majority of the voters?' Are they upper or lower? Now, why do we do the wrong mathematics and expect to pass the examination?"

He also reminded management committees to ensure strict compliance with financial regulations by councils and local authorities.