ZIMBABWEAN local authorities have lauded government’s devolution plan that seeks to enhance the decision-making of communities around the country.
Devolution refers to transfer of power from a central authority to a lower authority.
In an interview with NewsDay on the sidelines of a strategic planning workshop in Bulawayo, Umzingwane Rural District Council chief executive Sithembiso Sibanda said devolution had proven to be effective in her council.
“We as a council identify what we want to do. We resolved that 20% of devolution funds will go to roads. Devolution has helped us very much,” Sibanda said.
“We acquired a rig for drilling boreholes as people need water and the council benefits at the same time. We also bought a new tipper and grader for us to fix our roads.”
Her counterpart from Tsholotsho RDC, Nkululeko Sibanda, also applauded the strategy saying council completed numerous projects, including “provision of water, building of schools and clinics”.
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Nkayi RDC chief executive Silibele Mpofu said the strategy helped the council to improve the lives of villagers in the area.
“Recently, we managed to build toilets and we also rehabilitated infrastructure at some schools in the district. The only complaint that we may have is that sometimes the devolution funds come late,” he said.
Addressing the workshop, Local Government and Public Works minister Daniel Garwe said local governance and devolution were among the 14 national priority areas enshrined in the National Development Strategy 1 in line with Vision 2030.
“These are fundamental pillars upon which modern societies are built and their effective implementation is essential for the progress and prosperity of any nation. In recent years, the concept of devolution has gained significant traction worldwide.
“Many nations have recognised the importance of empowering local communities and granting them greater autonomy in shaping their own destinies,” he said.
Garwe said devolution promoted effective governance by bringing decision-making closer to the people, fostering a sense of ownership and enabling more efficient delivery of public services.
“Local authorities are the frontline providers of essential services to our people, including water and sanitation, waste management, transportation, education, healthcare and many more. They are the engines that drive development and progress at the grassroots level,” he said.