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Cletus Mushanawani Mashoaland Central Bureau

MASHONALAND Central Province has completed interviews for district economists in line with the devolution agenda.

Acting provincial development coordinator Mr Cosmas Chiringa confirmed that interviews for the posts of district economists were done and concluded recently.

“The devolution agenda is real,” he said. “We recently held interviews for district economists. We want to make sure that we are on top of the game.

“Each of the eight districts will have an economist who will help to spearhead development programmes in the respective district. The economist will work closely with the district development co-ordinator. We want everyone to be serious about economic development of their areas.”

Mr Chiringa said the new changes in the development matrix would yield results.

“The office of the provincial administrator has been abolished and replaced by that of the provincial development co-ordinator which will be at the same level like that of a principal director in any Government ministry,” he said.

“The office is now responsible for the general administration of the province. The provincial development co-ordinator will be deputised by two directors, one responsible for local governance and administration issues and the other one responsible for economic development.

“We want to adopt the same model that is being used in neighbouring countries like Zambia.”

Mr Chiringa said the new dispensation was serious about economic development of all areas.

“We recently had a meeting in Harare which was addressed by the chairman of the Public Service Commission, Dr Vincent Hungwe and the Chief Secretary to the President and Cabinet, Dr Misheck Sibanda, among other presenters, where the roles of office bearers in a devolved set-up were explained,” he said.

“I have never had such a serious engagement in my 37 years in the public service. The Second Republic is serious about seeing the lives of Zimbabweans being improved for the better. Gone are the days of talk-shows. Development should cascade down to the grassroots. Everyone in every corner of the country should benefit from the locally available resources.”

Mr Chiringa added: “The provincial development co-ordinator is accountable for the development of his or her province and the same applies to the district development co-ordinator.

These offices require people who are serious about the economic emancipation of the locals, especially rural flocks.

“We want to see projects being implemented in a transparent manner. Accountability is now the hallmark of our work. We will not hesitate to raise the red flag if we realise that transparency is lacking in the implementation of projects.

Performance appraisals will be seriously adhered to, while acquittals of projects will be closely scrutinised. A dashboard of projects will also be implemented to ensure that everything is done according to the expected standards.” Mr Chiringa said there would not be any duplication of roles between the provincial development co-ordinators and the directors in the Offices of Ministers of State for Provincial Affairs.

“There was confusion on the roles of provincial development co-ordinators and directors in the Office of Minister of State for Provincial Affairs and this was clarified by Dr Sibanda,” he said.

“The two offices have separate roles and the provincial director is the chief development co-ordinator in every province.”