No compromise on service delivery

Blessings Chidakwa

Herald Reporter

The deadline for all local authorities to have masterplans, functional enterprise resource planning, and full valuation rolls by June 30 as directed by the President still stands, as the Government makes no compromise on service delivery.

President Mnangagwa in November last year issued the blueprint: “Call to action: no compromise to service delivery.”

It provided guidelines that local authorities had to follow to ensure that they provided efficient services in line with the country’s quest to achieve a middle-income economy by 2030.

Speaking during an interactive meeting with all 92 local authorities, both urban and rural, Local Government and Public Works Minister Daniel Garwe said the President advised him that his deadline still stands.

“As the June deadline is around the corner now, all local authorities should strive to achieve the indicated milestones. We have no appetite to extend the deadline. June 30 remains the deadline unless there are serious circumstances.

“Globally we have no appetite to go beyond the June 30 deadline. It is not my message but one coming from His Excellency the President of the Republic of Zimbabwe,” he said.

Minister Garwe also said his ministry was in the process of finalising the development of a minimum service delivery standard framework, including its attention indicators and reporting template, with areas under consideration being water supply, sanitation and solid waste management, roads and public lighting, and public health among others.

The framework was going to become the basis of performance awards as it would enhance efficiency, accountability and transparency.

Minister Garwe said to upscale service delivery the ministry would be launching a new programme targeting road rehabilitation within local areas, named nhimbe-Ilima or mushandirapamwe.