‘Engage communities on devolution’

AHEAD of this year’s national Independence Day celebrations to be held in Gokwe, local authorities have been urged to engage communities when embarking on devolution projects, rather than impose their own schemes on the people.

Presidential Affairs and Devolution Permanent Secretary Engineer Tafadzwa Muguti made the call whilst addressing delegates during a tour of devolution projects in Marondera East last week.

Devolution has been highlighted as part of the theme for this year’s Independence Day celebrations, “Zim@45: Devolve and develop together towards Vision 2030”, underscoring the Government’s commitment to successful implementation of decentralisation programmes.

Addressing delegates and villagers during the tour, Eng Muguti said: “We are proud this year that devolution is taking great prominence, especially as it has become part of the Independence Day theme. I am happy to be here in Marondera, where there is a true reflection of unity among community members in implementing devolution.

“The community answered to President Mnangagwa’s call that nyika inovakwa nevene vayo.”

Marondera Rural District Council partnered The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints to build a state-of-the-art clinic and classroom blocks in Mandoga village, Ward 2, backed by devolution funds.

The work done by the constituency is an untold story of commitment to developing the country in line with President Mnangagwa’s Vision 2030 of an upper middle-income economy, Eng Muguti said.

“The community gathered resources that saw the beginning of construction works at this clinic. They completed the foundation and now, after realising the zeal exhibited by the community members, the church had to come in with the much-needed assistance,” he said.

He said the community’s commitment was a result of the challenges they faced in accessing health services.

Eng Muguti noted that it was pleasing to have the church lending a helping hand to complete construction ahead of commissioning next month.

“As Government, we do not hesitate to assist with all that is needed here to ensure the public gets the intended service. My office will engage with relevant ministries to ensure that by the end of April this year, the clinic will be opened and serve the community. As you can see, the structure is completed,” he said.