Councils comply with Zim-Asset directive

Adelaide Moyo Chronicle Reporter
NINE out of 10 local authorities in Matabeleland North have complied with a government directive to realign their strategic plans to Zim-Asset and the 10-point plan announced by President Robert Mugabe recently.

Provincial Administrator Latiso Dlamini said all local authorities in the province, except for Victoria Falls Municipality had started working on their five-year-strategic plans following a directive by the parent Ministry of Local Government, Public Works and National Housing.

“The process has been going on smoothly and nine of the 10 local authorities have already complied are in the process of aligning themselves with Zim-Asset,” she told The Chronicle.

She said some local authorities already had strategic plans which were nearing the end of their lifespan and the ongoing process, where all partners involved are being trained and appraised on the requirements and procedure in developmental projects, is being realigned.

“This is a five year plan up to 2020 and as soon the process is completed when Victoria Falls holds its workshop next week, the implementation stage starts,” she added.

Matabeleland North has seven districts namely Binga, Bubi, Hwange, Kusile, Nkayi, Tsholotsho and Umguza and among them there are 10 councils. Hwange Rural District Council (HRDC) held a workshop last week while the Hwange Local Board started its own yesterday.

Victoria Falls Municipality will conclude the process next week. Hwange District Administrator Tapera Mugoriya said the training workshops were being organised by the parent ministry in conjunction with the Office of the President and Cabinet.

“Last week we had a training workshop for HRDC and this week we have one for the Local Board which will be followed by Victoria Falls next week. “The directive was recently announced by the ministry that all local authorities are mandated to be compliant with Zim-Asset and the 10-point plan enunciated by the President when he made the State of the Nation Address,” he said.

Each local authority will then use the strategic plan to fulfil goals of the economic blueprint through implementing developmental projects. Traditional leaders, councillors, heads of government departments and strategic partners are attending the workshops.