By Chrispen Musekiwa

The President, His Excellency Emmerson Dambudzo Mnangagwa yesterday commended some local authorities for the milestones that they have achieved under the Call to Action – No Compromise to Service Delivery blueprint. He was addressing 2500 councillors from all the 92 urban local authorities in Zimbabwe during the All-Councillors Indaba with the President which was held at the Harare International Conference Centre. The indaba was held under the theme “Strengthening Local Authority Systems for Vision 2030: No Compromise to Service Delivery”.  Vice President General (Retired) accompanied the President Constantino Guveya Dominic Nyikadzino Chiwenga and some cabinet ministers.

The President listed the following as the achievements: Development of master plans, creation of valuation roles for property rating purposes, establishment of minimum service delivery standards and enhanced revenue collection performance.

“However, the Call-to-Action Blueprint was only the first stage of intervention aimed at improving systems and processes  in local authorities,” said the President urging local authorities to scale up efforts aimed towards the provision of basic enabling infrastructure.

The President also touched on corruption saying that he was concerned by the cases of corruption in local authorities and in society. “I am deeply concerned by the cases of corruption in the local government space and the entire society. Those perpetrating such acts must face the full wrath of  our country’s laws,” he said.

Speaking before the President, Minister of Local Government and Public Works and Public Works Hon Daniel Garwe

Said that the President’s vision had brought about improvements in the local government sector.

“Your vision has brought significant improvements to the local government sector. For the first time in our history, all local authorities are making substantial progress, allocating resources from their limited budgets to achieve their service delivery mandates. They have also successfully met the milestones as set out in the (Call to Action) Blueprint and these have enhanced their resource mobilization strategies to sustain their budgets, among other accomplishments,” said the Minister.

The minister also reported that his Ministry had developed minimum service delivery standards.

“I am pleased Your Excellency to announce that the Ministry has developed Minimum Service Delivery Standards as outlined in the Call-to-Action Blueprint,” he said.

ZILGA Secretary General Mr Livison Mutekede commended the Minister for facilitating the Indaba for the councillors and the President.

“I am grateful that this Indaba with the President was a huge success owing to the excellent leadership of Minister Garwe. He did very well by highlighting the achievements by local authorities,” he said adding that the Minister’s support to the local government greatly appreciated.