Councils shoulder blame for poor service delivery

Blessings Chidakwa in Bulawayo
Poor service delivery in most urban areas is largely due to corruption and mismanagement by both councillors and management, Urban Councils Association of Zimbabwe president and Gweru Mayor Councillor Josiah Makombe said on Wednesday.

Clr Makombe said this in opening remarks made on his behalf by Kwekwe Mayor Abigail Kasipo during the association’s annual conference underway at the Zimbabwe International Trade Fair (ZITF) grounds.

The conference, which will be attended by President Mnangagwa today, is running under the theme: “Urban local authorities embracing devolution with the mantra of an upper middle income by 2030.”

“We are fully aware of our shortcomings and we are taking corrective actions, working around the clock to ensure we minimise if not eliminate these barriers to investment and also including having a zero tolerance to corruption,” said Clr Makombe.

“This conference is, therefore, a platform for policy dialogue for local and national Government so as to strengthen the pillars of devolution.

“As councils, we want to move away from being agents of development to key facilitators of development in our respective authorities.”

Clr Makombe listed some of the challenges that they were facing as local authorities.
“Councils are some of the institutions that have been hit hard by the macro-economic environment,” he said. “The prevailing macro-economic environment has eroded council budgets and capacity to deliver on effective services.

“Residents and ratepayers have also been affected, failing to meet their obligations. Water treatment chemicals, pumps and electric motors are proving to be a serious challenge for local authorities. The power outages are affecting mostly water pumping capacity and waste reticulation.”