President Mnangagwa Warns Local Authorities Over Unbefitting Annual Budgets

President Emmerson Mnangagwa has called upon the Minister of Local Government and Public Works Winston Chitando not to approve all annual budgets from local authorities that do not demonstrate achievable and acceptable service delivery levels in line with the law.

The President added that annual budgets from local authorities must speak to the needs of the people and eradication of poverty.

“The Ministry of Local Government has already been instructed not to approve any annual budget unless it demonstrates achievable and acceptable service delivery levels as is in line with the law. Budgets which speak to the needs of the people and eradication of poverty,” said the President.

He went on to challenge local authorities to complete unfinished projects before planning on new ones. Several local authorities have been running multiple projects with devolution funds of which most of the projects have not been completed. His comments come after some local authorities failed to finish projects such as roads that would have been worked from bases 1 and 2 and then were left to deteriorate again.

“Local authorities must desist from running many projects at the same time and they must complete unfinished projects before panning on new ones.

“In the prioritisation of projects, never lose sight of the founding principles of Devolution and Decentralisation, with regards to ensuring equalised development that leaves no one and no place behind,” Mnangagwa added.