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Walter Nyamukondiwa in CHIRUNDU
Finance Minister Patrick Chinamasa yesterday said Government had taken steps to deal with the ruinous economic sanctions and rampant corruption and mismanagement in local authorities during the inclusive Government era which affected the living standards of the majority through the economic blueprint Zim Asset.
This, he said, had culminated in the dilapidation of infrastructure to the detriment of social services and interventions such as Public Private Partnerships should be encouraged to spur rapid development.
Cde Chinamasa was speaking in Chirundu yesterday at the handover of sewer treatment and water reticulation infrastructure to the Ministry of Local Government, Public Works and National Housing.
The infrastructure built at a cost of US$15 million by the Zimbabwe Revenue Authority includes a water treatment plant to supply water to the border town and sewer ponds that assist in managing waste for the next 30 years.
“You will agree with me that most of the country’s town councils, municipalities and local boards have felt the negative impact of economic sanctions,” he said.
“This has been exacerbated by mismanagement of some of these local authorities, particularly during the Inclusive Government era through outright corruption and dereliction of duties,” he said.
Hailing the gesture by Zimra as one such model for public-private-partnerships and good social responsibility, Minister Chinamasa said that was the right tone for future development of the country.
The minister said it takes comprehensive steps to grow the economy such as collaborations, strategic partnerships and alliances.
He urged the Ministry of Local Government, Public Works and National Housing to fight corruption and added that good infrastructure provides a firm basis for economic development and better service to the community which in turn attracts investment.
The infrastructure was handed over to the Chirundu community through Local Government, Public Works and National Housing Minister Ignatius Chombo.
Accepting the infrastructure, Minister Chombo said provision of water and proper management of sewerage waste were the backbone of a functional local governance system.
“Today (yesterday) is a historic day as it depicts the partnership amongst Government departments, parastatals and the private sector in moving Zimbabwe forward.
“I do not take the provision of water and sewer systems lightly because they form the backbone of a functional local governance system,” he said.
Minister Chombo said Zimra had contributed to infrastructure development in border towns such as Plumtree, Nyamapanda and Beitbridge among others through building blocks of flats and procurement of fire tenders.
Online Reporter