adminand captains of industry.
The conference was initially slated for 2012, but could not take place because of pressing commitments among them the constitutional outreach programmes.
This year’s conference runs under the theme: “Innovative Local Economic Development for Investment Promotion and Empowerment Creation’’.
Zimbabwe Local Government president Mr Nimrod Chiminya said the conference would discuss the changing role of councillors from ceremonial figures into full time community servants.
In the past, he said, councillors were expected to attend council meetings only, without any extra duties.
“Of late, councillorship has turned into a 24-hour duty where councillors distribute food under food for work programmes, supervise input distribution and attend all community functions and where possible assist with goods and services,” he said.
Mr Chiminya said the community believed that councillors had a budget for them.
He said the conference would afford local authorities the opportunity to share their experiences and expectations with the presidium, Government ministers and captains of industry.
President Mugabe is expected to officially open the conference, while VP Mujuru would close the proceedings on Saturday.
Several Government ministers among them the Minister of Local Government, Rural and Urban Development Cde Ignatius Chombo, Minister of Youth Development, Indigenisation and Economic Empowerment Saviour Kasukuwere, and Transport, Communications and Infrastructure Development Minister Nicholas Goche will address the conference on issues related to their ministries.
Minister Kasukuwere would speak on the operationalisation of the community share trusts, while Minister Goche would address roads and infrastructure development.
Finance Minister Tendai Biti would address the conference on the decentralisation of financial assistance to the local councils.
Local authorities are the lower tier of Central Government and operate very closely with the people.
Mayors, town clerks, council chairpersons, town secretaries and chief executives and selected councillors would attend the conference.
Online Reporter