Mhondoro-Ngezi RDC get bikes, phones

Walter Nyamukondiwa

Mashonaland West Bureau Chief
Mhondoro-Ngezi Rural District Council, which was the best run RDC in the country in 2023, has bought motorbikes and cellphones for its 26 councillors in an effort to improve service delivery.

The service delivery tools will improve access to the rural wards, which are sparsely located and require councillors to be mobile.
Speaking during the handover of the 26 motorbikes and mobile phones, Mashonaland West Provincial Affairs and Devolution Minister Marian Chombo said Mhondor-Ngezi RDC was responding positively to President Mnangagwa’s Call to Action initiative.
“This is a significant step towards enhancing efficiency and effectiveness of our councils operations,” said Minister Chombo.
“Rural areas are sparsely populated forcing our councillors to walk long distances.

“The motorbikes and cellphones will help councillors deliver services to the people in their wards.”
The development, she said, dovetails with Government’s mantra of leaving no-one and no place behind.
Minister Chombo said Devolution Funds have played a significant role in empowering local authorities to improve service delivery.
“When the President speaks about Vision 2030, he is relying on local authorities and other players in the grassroots to deliver on their mandates,” she said.
President Mnangagwa initiated the Call to Action programme after expressing concern over poor services delivery in local authorities.
Councillors blamed lack of mobility for failing to provide services to expected standards.

“The motorbikes help to fulfil President Mnangagwa’s vision of equitable development towards Vision 2030,” she said.
Mhondoro-Ngezi RDC chairperson Mr Ephraim Chengeta said the mobile phones and motorbikes would go a long way in cutting the distance between councillors and the people they lead.

Mr Chengeta said Mhondoro-Ngezi RDC was succeeding in providing better services owing to involvement of all stakeholders.
“We value the input of everyone so stakeholders including traditional leaders, the people, councillors and staff are all involved in our operations,” he said. “Above all, we value and implement Government’s policies.”

Service delivery and settlement of bills, he said, becomes easy when people are consulted and there is transparency in the operations of council.
He said Mhondoro-Ngezi stands ready to contribute towards the realisation of Vision 2030 and fulfil rural development.
Chief Mushava hailed Mhondoro-Ngezi for prioritising service delivery.
Councillor Paidamoyo Zvirikuzhe (Ward 8) said the move had addressed mobility and communication challenges, which hinder efficient delivery of services.