Parliament Portifolio Committee on Local Government, Public Works, National Housing and Social Amenities visits Masvingo

In a ringing endorsement of the City of Masvingo’s efforts to improve communication strategies with its stakeholders, the Parliament Portifolio Committee on Local Government, Public Works, National Housing and Social Amenities, chaired by Hon. Miriam Chikukwa applauded ongoing engagements by the City, following a Public Hearing on the 4th of April 2022 over written submissions by stakeholders to allow citizens to provide their views on devolution funds and water supply.

Hon. Chikukwa opened the discussion on issues which were raised in the written submission which include the need for citizen participation over the use of devolution funds and the core mandate of the local authority which is water supply.

City of Masvingo’s Town Clerk, Eng Edward Mukaratirwa communicated and clarified on water supply to the city which according to the service delivery charter is 6 hours per day and the efforts being made so far to increase supply to meet demand.

He went on to communicate a sense of community concern about the issues raised and urged citizen participation on Council programmes like the budgeting processes where projects are proposed before implementation.

“I urge our stakeholders to participate on Council programs like the budget consultation meetings, where we open dialogue on issues that may have fallen out of the public and proposed projects. Your input is key but if you snub decisions will be made on your behalf but the few who attend.These consultation meetings bring more of the public into day to day running of the Council.

The engagement which was meant to take the pulse of the community on planning afforded all stakeholders a reasonable opportunity to be heard.