The Council derives its mandate from the Local Government Act which lists the following as overall functions of Local Authorities: • Maintain law and order and effective administration of Local Authorities to ensure national security; • Control the keeping and movement of livestock, slaughtering of animals, sale of meat and enforce the disposal of diseased animals carcasses or meat which is unfit for human consumption; • Take measures for storage, market and preservation of agricultural produce and prevention of agricultural produce, conservation of natural resources and prevention of soil erosion; • Control the manufacture, storage, sale and use of petroleum, fireworks gas and other combustible or dangerous substance; • Construct and maintain public roads, streets, sanitary lanes, bridges and water courses and remove all obstacles thereof; • Establish and maintain sanitation and drainage systems to facilitate the removal of refuse and effluent; • Provide for the registration of births, marriage, deaths, clubs and enumeration of persons or property connected with the administration of Council areas; • Establish and maintain colleges, schools and day nurseries; • Prepare and administer schemes for community participation in development; • Establish and maintain a system of street lighting and in public places; • Establish and maintain firefighting and prevention services in order to protect life, property and natural resources from damage by fire; • Control persons and premises engaged in manufacturing, preparations, storage handling, sale or distribution of food or drink including intoxicating substances; • Prohibit and control the use of land and erection of buildings in the interest of public health, safely and orderly development of the Council area; • Demolish or remove buildings which are a danger to public health or safety and do not conform to plans and specifications approved by the Councils; • Establish and maintain public amenities such as parks, zoos, gardens, pleasure grounds, camping grounds, caravan sites and an open spaces; • Establish and maintain hospitals, clinics, health centers and environmental and health services; and • Establish and maintain cemeteries, crematoria, and mortuaries and provide for the burial of the dead and destitute persons who die in the area of the Council.