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people and the region, Vice President John Nkomo said yesterday.
He said local government plays a pivotal role in regional development through the provision of trunk infrastructure such as roads, sewer and water, facilitates needed by all other sectors of the economy.
He urged closer collaboration by the bloc’s local government institutions and the people to “ensure that we speak with one voice on matters of interest.”

VP Nkomo made the remarks as he officially opened the Sadc local government ministers’ forum meeting in the capital yesterday. The forum chaired by Namibian minister of regional, local government, housing and rural development, Jerry Ekandjo, held in Zimbabwe as part of the bloc’s show of support to Zimbabwe, which is vilified by the West.
VP Nkomo commended the decision to have the forum’s meeting in Zimbabwe.

Local government ministers from the region, their permanent secretaries, chairpersons of local government associations and senior government officials attended the meeting, which among other key issues was lobbying for the institutionalisation of the local government sector into the formal structures of Sadc.

VP Nkomo said Zimbabwe was fully behind the initiative to have the sector represented within the Sadc structures, adding that the move would strengthen the sector and enable it to efficiently discharge its duties.
“I am aware that the forum sees institutionalisation of local government within Sadc structures as the key strategy through, which the Millennium Development Goals can be best achieved in the region.

“Institutionalisation of the sector will give the sector the necessary high profile, visibility and impetus on the ground,” he said.
He said a robust local government system lays “a solid foundation” for sustainable development through promotion of local democracy, public participation in development initiatives and effective service delivery.

VP Nkomo said the forum should serve as a platform for extensive collaboration and exchange of notes to strengthen the sector “in the face of harsh operational climate” brought about by the global economic meltdown.

“The forum should seek regional convergence of ideas on acceptable benchmarks relevant to the local government sector,” he said.
VP Nkomo commended the forum ministers for condemning the illegal sanctions imposed on Zimbabwe by the West. He also praised Sadc for its role in facilitating Zimbabwe’s search for economic and political stability.

He said the inclusive Government born out of Sadc efforts “would continue to invest its energy in addressing all issues, which stand in the path of the total recovery and prosperity of Zimbabwe.”
Minster Ekandjo said with the influx of people into urban centres, it had become imperative that the sector should be institutionalised within the formal Sadc structures.

“The purpose of the forum is to drive the agenda of local government as an important instrument needing to be placed amongst the major priorities in our governance systems,” he said.
Local Government, Rural and Urban Development Minister Ignatius Chombo, on Thursday night hosted a dinner for the delegates and called on all governments to support the initiative.

The institutionalisation of the sector is expected to be discussed by the Sadc Heads of State summit to be held in Luanda in August.