Big thumbs-up for devolution

Sydney Mubaiwa in ZAKA
Most districts here have embraced the devolution agenda through the formation of district development committees to oversee the implementation of projects at local level.

Zaka District development coordinator Mr Ndeya Nyede said the coming in of devolution was expected to speed up the country’s development agenda in line with Vision 2030 that seeks to make Zimbabwe an upper middle income economy by 2030.

Speaking at a district development meeting here recently, Mr Nyede said devolution was coming in to expand the mandate of local authorities, hence they needed to refocus and reprioritise their development programmes.

“The district development committee is expected to complement each other in terms of roles for development,” he said.

“We have been given the power to implement development programmes without having to rely on central Government. Each district has opportunities which can be harnessed for its own development.”

He explained President Mnangagwa’s Transitional Stabilisation Programme (TSP) and Vision 2030, imploring all district heads to acquaint themselves with expectations of the new dispensation.

“You cannot fully implement the President’s vision if you do not acquaint yourselves with Government’s policies,” he said.

“As district heads, you are the grassroots implementers of Government programmes. We realise the current challenges of connectivity, especially in rural councils, and it will be urgently resolved.”

He reiterated the need for public officials to shun corruption and exude servant leadership in their various jurisdictions.

Most districts across Masvingo have already started using devolution funds for infrastructural projects to engender development in their areas.

Bikita District development coordinator Mr Bernard Hadzirabwi said the $650 000 they have received so far under devolution from Government was channelled towards provision of water through rehabilitation of 15 boreholes and roads.

“We have since received $650 000 from central Government and our priority is water provision for our people,” he said.

“We intend to sink boreholes so that communities have access to potable water. Our council is largely rural, so we intend to improve basic infrastructure such as access to health and education.”