Kimberly Kusauka/Emmanuel Chitsika
Devolution funds that are disbursed from central government to fund projects in local authorities require some kind of accountability as to how the money is spend while the timeline for duration of the implementation is monitored.
Certain issues like timeline or duration of a particular project, together with the involvement of ordinary people set to benefit from the project in identifying areas key to them among other issues have not been clear.
In Zimbabwe currently there is no clear demarcation of functions among various levels of government and appropriate administrative support.
While there is need for the involvement of communities in deciding or determining key project areas that affect their lives, which creates a platform for their input to be a major consideration for local authorities, that has not been the case.
Masvingo Secretary for Provincial Affairs and Devolution (Formally known as PDC) Dr Jefter Sakupwanya said local authorities develop a working plan with projects they intend to do for a year and present them to government who in turn provide funds through devolution.
“We come up with a plan and we present it to government. It is the budget that they give us through devolution funds which determine the kind of projects we would be able to do,” said Dr Sakupwanya.
He said there are mechanisms in place to account for funds and monitor how projects are running but some projects are not funded by devolution funds.
“There are mechanisms in place to account for the funds. It is the duty of councilors and District Development Coordinator (DDC) to do follow ups so as to maintain efficiency and transparency.
“Not all projects are funded through devolution funds. We have road maintenance funded by President Emmerson Mnangagwa through Emergency Road Rehabilitation Programme (ERRP) 2 and others which are funded through internal funds,” said Dr Sakupwanya.
The other issue raised on the devolution funded projects is the determination of which particular area to prioritise as some sections of society feel the decision usually lies with council management than ordinary people who benefit from such initiatives.
Clarity of roles and responsibilities, citizen participation, strong systems as well as functional inter-governmental fiscal transfer framework among the different tiers of government are the strong pillars towards successful and effective implementation of the programmes.
Chiredzi RDC Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Ailles Baloyi said they have a consultative programme in wards as well as full council meetings once every three months.
“For all projects and programmes, we had major consultative meetings in 2019 and 2020 where ward profiles were produced. In addition we hold annual budget consultations in each of our 32 wards to confirm prioritization of the projects in our profiles.
“We are planning to have mid-year stakeholder meetings across districts in order to increase interaction with stakeholders. We hold full council meetings once every quarter,” said Baloyi.
Bikita RDC CEO Peter Chibhi said the duty of communicating with the people lies with councillors who are there to consult citizens on projects they would be prioritizing as well as carrying out full council meetings for feedback.
“Councillors consult citizens and bring information to council. Full councils are held on quarterly basis and feedback is given to the community by councillors after every full council meeting.
“We also carry out sector based consultations and feedbacks,” said Chibhi.
Masvingo RDC Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Martin Mubviro confirmed that they do consultations only four times a year.
However, on the issue of residents being consulted to air their views on which project area to prioritise, Masvingo urban residents had different views to that effect.
Masvingo United Residents and Ratepayers Alliance (MURRA) spokesperson Godfrey Mtimba said residents are not given a platform to contribute to key projects funded through devolution.
“We are not happy with the way devolution funds are being handled. Residents and other key stakeholders are not given the chance to input in various key projects being funded through devolution. We are not sure why council and District Development Coordinators (DDC) do not consult residents on which projects to partake since they are the ones who know what they need.
“When devolution money comes, we are only told of the amount and the projects they will be channelling such funds ttowards without our input,” said Mtimba.
He said they need consultations since that empower residents to have their needs prioritised.
“We believe that the concept of devolution is giving people power to decide what they want in terms of development or priorities. So the devolution we have is only on paper,” said Mtimba. Masvingo Service Delivery Residents and Ratepayers Association (MASDRA) Secretary General Moses Mavhusa said that respective stakeholders are not included in giving their views towards developmental projects.
“As MASDRA we have noted with great concern the exclusion of key stakeholders such as business people and community at large on key developmental issues like the construction of a school in Rujeko C.
“Masvingo city council, councillors and our member of parliament Honourable Jacob Nyokanhete all turned a blind eye to the community by failure to inform residents that devolution funds had been directed towards that essential project rather both parties claim individual ownership to the project.
“We only got knowledge through the fights of both parties in local newspapers everyone claiming to be to be real owners. As an association we suggest that councillors undertake periodic press statements updating people on key developmental issues,” said Mavhusa.
He said they believe that residents should be part of city development.
“We believe residents are an important, integral element to our city’s development agenda,” said Mavhusa.
Coming up with possible working solutions would help in addressing such challenges like ensuring that the working relationship between implementers of any of the devolution projects also ensure that it involves the ordinary man.
