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Mukudzei Chingwere, Herald Reporter
Government seeks to intensify synergies among local authorities and private sector stakeholders under the “Own Your Door Step” initiative, which is expected to bring sanity to Harare, Minister of State for Provincial Affairs and Devolution for Harare Metropolitan Province Charles Tawengwa has said.
The initiative is aimed at inviting local companies to sustainably take care of environs like roundabouts, open spaces, parks, among others, that are close to their business premises, like what the The Hyatt Regency Meikles Hotel is doing with the Africa Unity Square.
Minister Tawengwa’s call comes against the background of health concerns arising from poor hygiene, with outbreaks of diseases like cholera common.
Local authorities have of late come under spotlight owing to their failure to deliver on their service delivery mandate, chief among them being waste management.
Minister Tawengwa said the initiative is a follow-up to President Mnangagwa’s national clean-up campaign, and as a province it is their duty to ensure sustainability of the efforts.
“It is a fact that local authorities have been struggling to deliver service to the citizens owing to numerous reasons affecting their performance,” said Minister Tawengwa.
“As Central Government, we always come in to help our local authorities to ensure all areas where council is facing challenges are attended and service is rendered without compromise.
“Understanding the need for collaboration and synergies to achieve sustainability in cities and communities, we have organised a breakfast meeting set for July 12 2024 at Rainbow Towers Hotel to launch the initiative calling all stakeholders from Government, local authorities and the private sector to play their part in ensuring sustainable cities ,which starts by taking care of your immediate environment.”
Minister Tawengwa said there are several private players already taking care of certain spaces.
He said the initiative calls on stakeholders to take part in urban renewal and the beautification of the Central Business District by adopting their own frontages tapping from the appetite for cleaner and greener environment.
Minister Tawengwa, a former councillor and mayor of Harare, said by-laws are not being applied accordingly and people are not abiding by them.
“But we are saying in those areas that have been allocated by council, be it vendors and transport operators, they need to keep these areas clean,.
“Good corporate governance is key and a pillar indicator in the administration of public entities. There is a need for all local authorities to have defined Standard Operating Procedures as per the ISO standards to ensure all processes are clearly defined, understood and implemented for standardised operations.
“What we are doing right now is what will restore Harare to its Sunshine City Status. Looking at the council itself, Government has been empowering the local authorities where the council through Government’s help acquired 52 tractors for refuse collection. Purchased compactors which were distributed to various suburbs,” said Minister Tawengwa.
“Government also launched Operation Chenesa Harare 2 to assist with waste management. The President also launched the Call to Action, which says No Compromise to Service Delivery for all local authorities with the City of Harare working towards achieving that.
“The President of the Republic of Zimbabwe has been calling for a clean and safe environment since the launch of the national clean up campaigns.”
Online Reporter