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Midlands Reporters
RURAL district councils have been urged to embrace the concept of devolution as they seek to tackle marginalisation and improve the standard of living for the people in their jurisdiction. Speaking at a devolution conference in Gweru on Friday, Local Government, Public Words and National Housing Minister July Moyo said RDCs should not lag behind in the national devolution process as it seeks to build their gross domestic product.
Minister Moyo said RDC’s with economic disparities will also be assisted to raise the standard of living for people in such areas.
He said economic plans will be crafted by provincial councils led by provincial Ministers, whose role should also be development-oriented.
“This devolution programme is based on the fact that economic development must start from the bottom going up. In fulfilment of Section 301 sub-section 2(d) of the Constitution, we are closely working on addressing marginalisation. We are looking at marginalisation in health, education, roads, electricity and all infrastructure projects.
‘‘RDC’s must therefore, embrace this concept so that issues to do with marginalisation are addressed so that the standard of living by people is improved. Here in the Midlands province, you should be able to identify areas where you are experiencing marginalisation be it in terms of quality and access to essential resources for development. It is not just about buildings but quality as well,” said Minister Moyo.
He urged local authorities to start working closely with tertiary institutions in terms of research on marginalisation and how it can be addressed.
“Here in the Midlands province you should start working with the Midlands State University to research and measure marginalisation and come up with ways on how best it can be addressed and even inform government policies,” he said.
Minister Moyo said the province must take advantage of the great dyke and invest in mineral exploitation.
“Devolution is about enhancing fiscal capacities of local areas through exploiting the available resources. Midlands is endowed with vast minerals hence the need to fully invest in exploitation of mineral resources. We will next week be in Silobela to commission a Gold centre. That is part of devolution,” he said.
Gokwe North and Mberengwa districts have often been identified as marginalised districts in the Midlands Province.
Meanwhile, Government, through the Ministry of Finance and Economic Development, recently allocated $310 million in the 2019 National Budget for devolution.
Online Reporter