By 
President Emmerson Mnangagwa has challenged local Authorities to improve the collection of rates and stop the syndrome of waiting for the Central Government to provide resources.
The President made these remarks during the Central Government and the Local Authority indaba which was held in Harare yesterday.
He noted that most local authorities hide behind the finger and shift the blame for delays in the release of devolution funds which he said must come to an abrupt end as it is not only unacceptable but also slows down the speed at which the country must achieve a higher quality of life for the people.
“In keeping with best practices in the use of public finances, local authorities should improve their collection of rates. The syndrome of waiting for the Central Government to provide resources and hide behind delays in the release of Devolution Funds is unacceptable and will only slow down the speed at which we must achieve a higher quality of life for our people.
“As we prepare for the 2024 Financial, Income and Expenditure Estimates, and in line with our legal frameworks, councils must undergo broad consultations processes, towards people-centred policies, programmes and projects,” the President said.
He also challenged local authorities to speed up the rate at which they embrace new technologies for planning, and procurement among other things.
“Furthermore, local authorities are encouraged to speed up the rate of adopting technologies for resource planning, procurement, project management, risk management, compliance and expenditure control as well budgeting and financial reporting, to improve efficiencies. In this regard, the solutions products and services coming out of our innovation hubs should be considered as first options,” he said.
The President urged the participants at the meeting to take the deliberations that were done seriously as they were going to go a long way in determining how local authorities would be run for the next five years.
“The various presentations and views shared at this forum should broaden perspectives and make the expectations we have of local authorities and the local government sector clearer. The next five years should also see fundamental changes in the manner in which all councils are administered.
“Areas for special attention include, revenue collection and distribution, compliance with applicable laws, leasing and selling of land by local authorities in servitudes, leasing and selling of communal and agricultural land by local authorities, and valuation of properties for rating purposes.”
Comments