Local authorities take stock

Town mayors, ward councillors and chief executive officers of rural district councils attended the seminar whose focus was to take stock of successes achieved during their five-year term in office.

Among the notable achievements by local authorities, was lobbying for the Zimbabwe National Water Authority to hand over provision of water services to local authorities. Towns such as Marondera, Karoi, Plumtree and Gwanda have since regained control over the provision of water services to residents.

Local authorities successfully lobbied for partnership with the Environmental Management Authority in preserving the environment. In the past, EMA fined councils for damage done to the environment.

Capacity building workshops conducted for town mayors, deputy mayors and heads of council committees, helped improve governance and service delivery.

With funds provided by the government through the Urban Councils Association Zimbabwe, local councils managed to refurbish and rehabilitate run down infrastructure such as roads and sewer and water reticulation systems.

Decentralisation of liquor licensing from Harare to districts was another milestone achievement.

In the past, liquor licensing could only be done at Makombe Building whereas now people can conduct such business at district administrators’ offices across the country.

Speaking at the occasion, the permanent Secretary in the ministry of finance, Willard Manungo, commended local authorities for upgrading infrastructure in their respective areas.

“Despite government availing just $860 million of the required $49 billion for infrastructure upgrading, you managed to come up with tangible and commendable developments in this regard,” said Manungo.

When the current term of office expires on June 29, trio caretaker councils composed of a mayor, the district administrator, a town clerk or chief executive, will run local authorities.