Devolution to ensure support is given to local companies
WHEREAS it is desirable to ensure: (a) the
preservation of national unity in Zimbabwe and the prevention of all forms of disunity and secessionism; (b) the democratic participation in government by all citizens and communities of Zimbabwe; and (c) the equitable allocation of national resources and the participation of local communities in the determination of development priorities within their areas; there must be devolution of power and responsibilities to lower tiers of government in Zimbabwe.”
The above is a preamble for Chapter 14 of the Constitution of Zimbabwe which articulates the provisions of devolution. ZimFact. org adds that devolution was seen as a necessary vehicle for doing away with the over-centralised system of government, for deepening democracy, promoting locally driven development, improving the delivery of public services, and promoting national integration and peace while recognising diversity.
And true to the Constitution, the Government led by President Mnangagwa put devolution into practice, with millions of dollars having been spent in recent years across the country via Devolution Funds that are channelled to each and every province. The funds have been used for infrastructural development and uplifting communities in sectors such as education and health.
Local businesses have also lobbied Government to ensure that the principle of devolution is spread to tender processes for national projects. Businesses in Bulawayo recently told a Government minister that local companies needed to be supported and given Government jobs that are in their localities.
Giving them local tenders will ensure that important decisions are made locally by people who live in the community and who will feel the impacts of those decisions and developments. Furthermore, locally-owned businesses recycle a much larger share of their revenue back into the local economy, enriching the whole community. Locally-owned businesses also create more jobs locally thus helping the local community.
Last week, Minister of Finance and Economic Development Professor Mthuli Ncube said devolution should not be just about disbursement of funds, but should touch on recognising and acknowledging the concept in the tender process as well.
He said local companies should be given a fair chance to access infrastructure development projects that are tendered within their regions of operation in the spirit of devolution as the Second Republic widens its development trajectory to all corners of the country.
Responding to concerns raised by businesspeople from the Matabeleland region, the minister urged the relevant offices to afford a fair chance to companies from whose region the tendered projects were located and also called on the companies to have the necessary paperwork so that they qualify for the tenders.
“Like President Mnangagwa has been preaching, the Second Republic believes that no-one and no place should be left behind as the country continues in its efforts of achieving a middle-income economy by 2030. And key to achieving this goal is devolution. But devolution is not just about disbursing funds — it must also be seen through the growth and development of businesses within their varied regions. To this gain, if companies have the capacity to complete tasks through tenders awarded to them, then they should be given a fair chance. The President has been clear in that local firms must be given priority when it comes to infrastructural development projects that are currently being undertaken in the country. A Masvingo company must work on Masvingo projects if it has the capacity as should a Bulawayo company. My Ministry will look into concerns raised by local companies about tenders going to non-local companies yet the work can be done by locals easily. That is the whole point with devolution — local resources must benefit locals. And it is the same case with business development — we must let locals enjoy the benefits of local business opportunities,” he said.