adminFrom Samuel Kadungure in Nyanga
THE 10 rural and urban councils in Manicaland have been urged to lure the private sector, which has the requisite skills, resources and technology to augment fiscal deficiencies that have become characteristic of municipalities. The issue of public private/partnership became topical at the Manicaland Local Government retreat which opened in Nyanga on Wednesday and ends today (Friday).
The retreat was attended by urban and rural council chairpersons, chief executive officers, development partners and officials from the new Rural Development ministry. In his presentation Mr Richard Maruta said most local authorities across the country were blighted by severe fiscal challenges, putting to the fore the need to join hands and pull the developmental wagon across the drift.
“We need to join hands; government cannot go it alone, local authorities have fiscal challenges. You must welcome and facilitate opportunities for individuals and institutions that are willing to develop our areas. As local authorities you should move away from negative attitude that scares off potential developers,” said Mr Maruta.
PPs refer to arrangements between the public and the private sector where some of the public services such as infrastructure and social services are provided by the private sector, with clear share objectives on delivery. Such business ventures are funded and operated through a partnership of government and one or more private sector companies.
In most cases the private party provides a public service or project and assumes substantial financial, technical and operational risk in the project.
The attendees concurred that political suspicions was scaring away potential investors and stifling development.
“We live in a democratic world, but we should not forget that we live in an animal farm.
“There is politics at play, some politicians want to protect their interests, safeguard their seats and in the process it creates problems,” said Zilga president Alderman David Mutasa.
However, some of the successful partnership cited include Chipinge and Rusape Town Councils engaging UNICEF in Water and Sanitation projects, Mutare City and African Development Bank in water and sewer reticulation projects, Makoni Rural District Council and Faith in God and several other church organisations (building schools project and respective communities in road maintenance activities), Nyanga Rural District Council and World Vision in the construction of clinics, Mutasa Rural District Council and Plan International and mining companies in the district.
Areas that local authorities can engage other players include transport (rail, road, ports, airports), fixed links (bridges), water resources (filtration plants, irrigation, sewage treatment (pipelines), tourism (facility development), health (hospitals and specialized health services), education facilities (schools, museums, libraries), arts, sports and recreational facilities, conventional centres and housing.
Online Reporter