‘Don’t politicise devolution’
THE implementation of devolution is an essential element towards developing all 10 provinces in the country and should not be politicised as Zimbabwe remains a unitary State, the chairperson of the Parliamentary Portfolio Committee on Local Government Cde Miriam Chikukwa has said.
Speaking at a symposium on institutionalisation of devolution organised by the Public Policy Research Institute of Zimbabwe (PPRIZ) and Lupane State University (LSU) in Bulawayo yesterday, Cde Chikukwa said Government has shown commitment to implementing devolution as evidenced by money set aside in the 2019 National Budget.
“Zimbabwe is still a unitary State and most people think that when we talk about devolution it also means that we will also have little presidents everywhere. We should also look at our constitution, which clearly states that our country is a unitary State. Devolution is about the development of all our provinces hence it should not be politicised because this is not time for politicking. It is time for development, time to work together if we want to make sure that we gain more from devolution,” she said.
Cde Chikukwa said Zimbabweans should condemn acts of violence and preach peace, which is a key element in the development of the country.
She also noted that devolution can only be realised with financial backing from central Government.
“The central Government has allocated money for devolution in the national budget, which has since passed through Parliament and that is the starting point. We can talk about devolution but if there is no financial backing, there is no seriousness in it,” she said.
Cde Chikukwa said the Ministry of Local Government, Public Works and National Housing has already taken necessary steps in the implementation of devolution.
“Most Ministers of State for Provincial Affairs are having all stakeholders’ conferences. We all agree that with the new dispensation it is clear that the President is serious about devolution and that is why a budget was set aside,” she said.
Treasury has set aside $310 million to facilitate the process of devolution in the country in fulfilment of a pledge President Emmerson Mnangagwa made before the elections.
In his 2019 National Budget presentation, the Minister of Finance and Economic Development, Professor Mthuli Ncube, said the allocation seeks to operationalise support to provinces in terms of Section 264 of the Constitution.
Recently, Local Government, Public Works and National Housing Minister July Moyo said Government is working on modalities on how to allocate the $310 million to provincial councils.
Local authorities have already started setting up structures to start the process of devolution.
Economic plans will be crafted by provincial councils, led by provincial ministers, whose role should also be development-oriented.
Speaking during the same meeting, Chief Gampu Sithole of Tsholotsho said the devolution of power is important in the developing local areas.
He said people in his area were facing challenges in terms of harnessing resources such as timber, gold and clay in their locality.
“Gold reserves, timber and clay are lying idle in Tsholotsho largely because we are not getting people interested in investing. We are therefore lobbying for the implementation of devolution which will unlock investment. Local authorities should be allowed to run their programmes at local level so that resources found in our area are used to develop our infrastructure such as roads and dams,” said Chief Gampu.
“Governmental powers and responsibilities devolved to local authorities, which are competent to carry out those responsibilities will ensure efficiency, flexibility and effectiveness in terms of the equitable sharing of national resources.”
The chairperson of the PPRIZ board of governors Professor Philani Moyo said there was need for stakeholders to engage each other and come up with a roadmap to address the issue of devolution.
LSU Pro-Vice Chancellor Dr Nomathemba Ndiweni said the scope of participation from all stakeholders in the academic, civic society, business sectors will help generate knowledge in policy analysis as far as devolution is concerned.
In November last year, Government approved the Principles of the Provincial Councils and Administration Amendment Bill, which spells out the mechanisms of decentralisation and devolution.
Implementation of devolution enjoins central Government to release funds for provincial budgets to ensure that areas lagging behind in terms of development are prioritised.
Under a devolved state, each province will have its own economic development plan underpinned by resources found in that province. — @mashnets.