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Ivan Zhakata and Marytise Vambayi

Chitungwiza is set to receive improved service delivery in health and refuse collection after it purchased vehicles to enhance their services, under the devolution funds.

The municipality of Chitungwiza yesterday had their vehicles comprising of two refuse compactors and two state-of-the-art ambulances bought through devolution funds commissioned by the Permanent Secretary for Provincial Affairs and Devolution for Harare Metropolitan Province Mr Tafadzwa Muguti.

Mr Muguti was standing in for the Minister of State for Provincial Affairs and Devolution for Harare Metropolitan Province Oliver Chidau.

The vehicles were bought for $32 million which was part of the $60,8 million devolution funds allocated to the council by the Government.

Speaking at the ceremony, Mr Muguti said Chitungwiza had of late suffered from poor service delivery issues resulting constant complaints and general disgruntlement within the community.

He said they looked forward to the local authority using the equipment and vehicles acquired to diligently serve the residents and enhance the standard of living for residents.

“It is commendable that devolution funds have been used to purchase capital equipment meant to enhance service delivery and we sincerely appreciate the transparency,” Mr Muguti said

“But let me also hasten to say that whilst the judicious use of devolution funds is important, local authorities must also aim to constantly improve their revenue collection and never depend on devolution funds to fund developmental projects.

“The municipality must aim to enhance revenue collection and provide services timeously and diligently to encourage residents to pay rates and other levies.”

Mr Muguti said residents as critical stakeholders must support the local authority in its quest to improve service delivery by paying rates and levies on time to ensure the smooth running of council operations.

He said it was important that communities be involved in discussions concerning the use of devolution funds.

Mr Muguti said it helps to ensure buy in from ratepayers and secure a fruitful partnership between the local authority and ratepayers.

“A bottom-up approach where bureaucrats also consult the community before deciding how devolution funds should be used as well as the projects to be undertaken is critical Projects that benefit the majority must be given preference,” he said.

“The funds or projects must be influenced by decisions taken by the people.

“It must not be a situation whereby those in offices sit down and craft what is to be done for communities. It must be a bottom-up approach.

“This is what is necessary to create a social contract between the local authority and ratepayers as we aim to improve council’s revenue collection.

“I will reiterate that whilst the judicious use of devolution funds is important, it is even more important for the municipality to develop effective strategies to improve revenue collection.”

Mr Muguti said residents were owners of devolution funds since the funds were raised through taxes and all programs that are to be funded so using the funds must have the input of communities.

Chitungwiza acting town clerk Mrs Evangelista Machona said the purchase of the vehicles were a result of their effort to get assistance from the central government, development partners and stakeholders.

During the year 2021, Government released $60,8 million as part of our allocation of devolution funds.

A total of $32 million was used to purchase two refuse compactors and two state-of-the-art ambulances. The remainder of this amount was used to purchase our data server and drain clearing programme.

“It must be noted that the two refuse compactors are just a small part of our total requirement of at least 12 refuse compactor trucks.

“The current fleet of refuse trucks was donated by the Japanese Government in 1997,” she said.