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Ray Bande
Senior Reporter
GOVERNMENT’S devolution agenda is a crucial developmental initiative that needs every citizen’s participation and understanding, the Catholic Commission for Justice and Peace (CCJP) has said.
Speaking to The Manica Post on the sidelines of a workshop to educate the community on public policy and advocacy at Stella Maris College (Mutare Diocesan Training Centre) in Mutare recently, CCJP Mutare Diocese coordinator, Mr Elliot Vengesa emphasised the need to conscientise the community on their rights to contribute on matters that affect them, ranging from policy making up to developmental projects.
“As CCJP, we found it prudent that communities need to be conscientised on their rights to contribute on matters that affect them, ranging from policy making up to developmental projects. Of late, some people are shunning a local authority budgeting meeting, for example.
“Therefore, we are saying, it is time citizens become part and parcel of developmental initiatives that affect their wellbeing. The devolution initiative, for example, is a noble initiative that needs the participation and understanding of every citizen,” said Mr Vengesa.
In a separate interview at the same function, Evangelical Fellowship of Zimbabwe projects manager, Mrs Munya Mataruse-Matsaira echoed Mr Vengesa’s sentiments, emphasizing the need to understand the legal aspects of devolution.
During this event, Zimbabwe Heads of Christian Denominations(ZHOCD) in partnership with Trocaire being funded by European Union conducted training of trainers on policy analysis and advocacy.
ZHOCD is a consortium of faith based organisation which include Zimbabwe Council of Churches, Evangelical Fellowship of Zimbabwe, Zimbabwe Catholic Bishops Conference being represented by Catholic Commission for Justice and Peace Mutare and Union for Development of Apostolic churches in Zimbabwe.
In Manicaland, the project is being implemented by CCJP Mutare in Mutasa District and Evangelical Fellowship of Zimbabwe in Nyanga District.
Online Reporter