Chronicle Editor
Mthabisi Tshuma,
COUNCILS countrywide should fully embrace the digitisation process in order to achieve Vision 2030, which aims for an upper-middle-income economy, Zimbabwe Local Government Association (ZILGA) president Dr Aaron Shamu has said.
This comes in the wake of the Ministry of ICT, Postal and Courier Services, in collaboration with Potraz, donating 415 computers to 39 Rural District Councils (RDCs) on Monday.
The donation is expected to bridge the digital divide between RDCs and urban authorities.
Speaking at the handover ceremony, Dr Shamu said the donation of computers should ensure that councils carry out their duties effectively.
“The donation is actually an enabler and a call to action to improve service delivery. It comes at a time when all authorities have just completed budget consultations and approvals. Four councils underwent performance appraisals, and one of the key components was e-Government. It was a key result that each council had to score.
“With these gadgets, I would like to thank you as it will help councils to move at pace and get into the fourth generation that we are in. Equipping councils with such equipment will also help in lessening the burden of resource constraints that many of our councils face. I would also like to implore councils that this endeavour will help them move at pace towards Vision 2030. We can’t move towards Vision 2030 if you are not digitalised,” said Dr Shamu.
Dr Shamu commended the ICT Ministry and the Second Republic for their continued efforts in digitising the nation.
“Having local authorities, especially the RDCs, remembered as the third tier of Government is quite an honour, Honourable Minister. We want to extend our heartfelt thanks to President Emmerson Mnangagwa for remembering this third tier of Government with this generous donation to 39 RDCs.
“We hope the remaining 21 RDCs will also receive this significant donation,” said Dr Shamu.
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Online Reporter