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Tendai Mugabe and Innocent Ruwende in BULAWAYO
Local authorities in urban areas have put the realisation of Vision 2030 at the top of their priority list and are already courting global investors to help them to develop key projects and in sourcing the US$2,3 billion required for water, wastewater and solid waste management.

The local authorities representatives are in Bulawayo for a week long Local Government Investment Conference organised by Urban Councils Association of Zimbabwe where they are meeting investors from different European countries keen to invest in water and sanitation projects.

Bulawayo town council has already clinched a deal with a top international automobile manufacturer FAW for the supply of refuse and other heavy duty trucks.

Other local authorities are still negotiating with the investors to come up with bankable projects before funding commitments are made.

Government yesterday backed the initiatives by the local authorities to ensure that Vision 2030 is achieved.

Officiating at the conference yesterday, Local Government, Public Works and National Housing Deputy Minister Cde Jennifer Mhlanga said the central Government was alive to the objectives of the local authorities and would do everything to ensure that they meet their set targets.

She said devolution was one way of ensuring that local authorities expedite the execution of projects under their jurisdiction.

“I am sure many of you are aware that the Government is in the process of implementing devolution of Government powers and responsibilities to provincial and metropolitan councils and local authorities, which are competent to carry out these responsibilities efficiently and effectively,” she said.

“Provinces are now expected to plan and grow their local economies. This approach will not take a top-down approach. We will not come to tell you what you are good at and what you should invest in.”