Government is in the process of setting out policies, laws, and systems to operationalize the devolution of power and is committee to disburse the stipulated 5% of the national budget to provincial and municipal authorities, a Ministry of local government, public works and national housing official has said.
Speaking during a Policy Dialogue on Devolution organized by the Centre for Community Development in Zimbabwe (CCDZ) in the capital today, Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Local Government, George Magosvongwe said government will soon move to make sure that all municipal and local authorities undergo a devolution process.
“The government of Zimbabwe is currently in the process of setting out policies, structures, laws, and regulations to operationalize the devolution of power from provincial as well as metropolitan councils and local authorities.
“In terms of financing, the people’s voices which were recorded shows that the people agree and guaranteed themselves 5% of the national budget to go local authorities…
“Consequently, 5% of the national budget must go to the local authorities and I can announce that the government of Zimbabwe will release the 5% of the national budget to local authorities, that’s devolution,” said Magosvongwe.
He said his ministry cannot, however give a clear outline of the progress made to this regard as it is still making consultations and drafting relevant proforma regulations.
Although section 270 of the Constitution envisages provincial and metropolitan councils creation of structures and staff, this is not the main thrust of devolution of power to provincial and local level tiers of governance.
Devolution of power will necessarily make governance easier, as it enables citizens to have access to government, which in itself contributes to the type of governance envisaged in section 194 of the Constitution, which envisages public administration, which, amongst other things, is responsive to people’s needs, transparent and encourages people to participate in policy making.
Economic plans will be crafted by provincial councils, led by provincial ministers, whose role should also be development-oriented.
CCDZ Director, Philip Pasirayi said the government should respect the constitution by honoring the devolution process.
“We welcome the promises that government has made in terms of complying with the constitutional provisions in terms of devolution. We expect that the crafting devolution policy is going to be speeded up and we hope that provincial councilors that were voted will be sworn into office so that they are able to do their work,” said.
