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Ashley Phiri, [email protected]

THE Urban Councils’ Association of Zimbabwe (UCAZ) has unveiled plans to implement two key programmes designed to guide their operations and strengthen urban local authorities for the next five years in line with Vision 2030 goals.

On Tuesday, during the opening of a strategic plan review workshop in Bulawayo, Minister of Local Government and Public Works, Daniel Garwe said the first stage of improving service delivery was to align the operations of local authorities towards National Development Strategy 1 (NDS1) and Vision 2030.

Minister Garwe also applauded President Mnangagwa for officially launching the Call to Action-No Compromise to Service Delivery as a way of improving service delivery by local authorities.

UCAZ president Councillor Similo Ndlovu

The first programme’s main focus is on governance and administration. It prioritizes capacity building for local authorities. The approach seeks to equip councils with the necessary tools and knowledge to excel.

The second programme, dubbed the Members Support and Capacity Development services, aims to capacitate UCAZ members through sub programmes that include lobbying and advocacy.

UCAZ secretary general, Mr Livison Mutekede said they are looking forward to implementing strategies of the programmes which they hope will improve the efficiency of local governance.

UCAZ secretary-general, Mr Livison Mutekede

“The members indicated that they want to see programmes that include capacity development, lobbying and advocacy, research and development. They also identified critical performance indicators for each of the programmes so that we can keep track of progress,” he said.

“Going forward we have identified anticipated outcomes and outputs for those programmes which will inform how UCAZ is going to identify the strategies on how we are going to execute the stated results. So far we have covered the results framework strategy and what is left is implementation which we are looking forward to.”

The programme will encompass several key areas including capacity building, policy development as well as lobbying and research among others.

The local authorities themselves came up with the programmes to address each local authority’s unique needs.
A budgetary oversight programme to support local authorities in crafting and approving budgets that are realistic, efficient, and aligned with community needs was also suggested during the meeting.

The programme also fosters collaboration between local authorities and key stakeholders, including the Zimbabwe Anti-Corruption Commission (Zacc). This collaborative approach aims to promote transparency, accountability, and good governance.

The members said UCAZ actively seek out development partners to support local authorities in achieving their goals.
his collaboration will lead to increased funding and access to expertise. The workshop ends today.