Midlands sets up devolution committees

Locadia Mavhudzi Midlands Correspondent
Midlands has embraced the devolution agenda through the establishment of district development committees which will oversee the implementation of projects at grassroots level.

Speaking at a district development meeting in Gweru, provincial administrator Mr Albiot Maronge, who is the acting Provincial Development Coordinator, said devolution was coming in to expand the mandate of local authorities, hence they needed to refocus and re-prioritise their development projects.

“As the district development committee you are expected to complement each other in terms of your roles in terms of development,” he said.

“You have been given power to implement development programmes without having to rely on central Government. Each district has opportunities which can be harnessed for its own development.”

Mr Maronge took time to explain the Transitional Stabilisation Programme and the Vision 2030, imploring all district leaders to acquaint themselves with expectations of the new dispensation.

“You cannot fully implement the President’s vision if you do not acquaint yourselves with Government’s policies,” he said.

“As district heads, you are the grassroot implementers of Government programmes. We realise the current challenges of connectivity, especially in rural councils and it will be urgently addressed.”

Mr Maronge reiterated on the need for public officials to shun corruption and exude servant leadership in their various jurisdictions.

Vungu Rural District Council revealed in the same meeting that the $500 000 they have received so far under the devolution funds will be channelled towards provision of water in the resettlement areas.

“We have since received $500 000 from central Government and our priority is water provision for the resettlement areas,” said the council’s chief internal auditor Arnold Chikwira, who was representing the chief executive.

“We intend to sink boreholes so that communities have access to potable water. We were allocated $5 million and we are expecting that more projects will be implemented. Our council is largely rural so we intend to improve basic infrastructure such as access to health and education.”

Gweru City Council indicated that they have so far received $400 000 which has since been converted into foreign currency for the procurement of water pumps.