MINISTER of State for Provincial Affairs and Devolution for Harare Metropolitan Province Charles Tavengwa
Ivan Zhakata and Mutsawashe Mashandure
MINISTER of State for Provincial Affairs and Devolution for Harare Metropolitan Province Charles Tavengwa has urged local authorities to put politics aside and work together for the sake of the people.
Speaking at a provincial development committee meeting in Harare yesterday, Minister Tavengwa said politics season has gone and it was the time for the people to arrive at the door, hold hands and deliver effective services.
He said as newly-elected Government officials they were committed to having a strong responsibility to ensure a whole-of-government approach in the deliberations.
“Let me begin by assuring you all that I intend to work with you all to ensure that we continue to drive the National Development Strategy 1 agenda towards the achievement of Vision 2030,” Minister Tavengwa said.
“I am aware of the devolution policy of Government as outlined by the chief secretary to the Office of the President and Cabinet and the chairman of the Public Service Commission, Dr Vincent Hungwe, at our initial introduction session by President Mnangagwa.
“Equally so, the secretary of State for Provincial Affairs and Devolution Mr Tafadzwa Muguti has articulated the importance of devolution and the further decentralisation of central Government both provincial and local governments.
“My expectation is that we will, all of us embrace the spirit of unity, purpose and teamwork. Ultimately, we are responsible for receiving, improving and working on Harare Metropolitan Province. We need fully functional local authorities offering affordable, quality and accessible services.”
Minister Tavengwa said there were concerns that have been raised about local authorities which include the hesitance by some local authorities, ministries, departments and agencies to work with their office.
He said that the local authorities were also failing failure to submit reports, with only 10 percent of all the ministries, departments and agencies (MDAs) only submitting reports consistently demanded.
“The poor work ethic by some MDAs who are non-visible players in the province. They choose not to engage with other arms of Government, but to work alone and we need to ensure that we have discipline and we work together in the Government operations.”
“The rise in cases of irregular land allocation and co-investment of Harare in the metropolitan province, whilst Epworth Local Board is equally chasing a surge for land irregularly allocated since the announcement of the regularisation programme.
“The need to address the transport system in the province in-particular congestion alluded by President Mnangagwa in Cabinet on the 15th of July, 2022,” Minister Tavengwa said.
He said there was also a need to address the growing urban informal settlements which were mounting pressure on the existing provincial infrastructure.
Minister Tavengwa said there was a need to align line ministries, departments and agencies with the devolution and decentralisation policies of government in order to meet strategic goals, outcomes and outputs.
“The is a need to address the ever-rising corruption levels in our councils and government departments and it is my hope and prayer that we engage regularly with my office to ensure that we have adequate support in achieving the set outcomes and outcomes.
“I am committed to supporting the provincial development committee, which is chaired by the secretary Mr Muguti. It is our hope that provincial government structures are soon effected in order to make robust engagement in the provincial community development plan.”
