Government pushes for community-led development initiatives

Permanent Secretary for Presidential Affairs and Devolution in the Office of the President and Cabinet, Engineer Tafadzwa Muguti (centre) accompanied by Minister of State for Manicaland Provincial Affairs and Devolution Advocate Misheck Mugadza (right) and other Government officials during the tour of a solar plant at Victoria Chitepo Provincial Hospital. – Picture: Tinai Nyadzayo

Tendai Gukutikwa
Post Reporter

GOVERNMENT is working to ensure sustainable development and local ownership of infrastructure Permanent Secretary for Presidential Affairs and Devolution, Engineer Tafadzwa Muguti has said.

Speaking on the sidelines of a tour of developmental projects across Mutare today, Engineer Muguti stressed the importance of community involvement in project ownership to reduce vandalism and ensure long-term success.

“We need to involve the people locally, the provincial and local Government structures so that they take ownership of these development initiatives,” he said, adding that Government has implemented 1 073 facilities across hospitals and clinics with the help of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP).

“However, some of these facilities have been vandalized, with 376 solar panels and 246 inverters stolen nationwide. This is despite the fact that such infrastructure saves Government thousands of dollars in power costs,” he said.

Engineer Muguti said his visit aims to identify projects worth of commissioning by the President, focusing on sustainability and community engagement.

He toured the new NatPharm warehouse, Victoria Chitepo Provincial Hospital solar project, among other developmental projects.