The ManicaPost
Freedom Mutanda
Correspondent
THE year 2021 has proved to be one of great success in as far as Government’s devolution agenda is concerned and its implementation.
Notwithstanding the challenges posed by Covid-19, many projects under the purview of local authorities have been successfully rolled out, thanks to the national funds being distributed from Central Government to drive development as envisagein Vision 2030.
Add to this the National Development Strategy (NDS1) and there is a recipe for success.
Following Franklin Delano Roosevelt’s victory in the 1932 United States of America elections, the new head of state famously uttered the words: “The only thing we have to fear is fear itself.”
Over the next decade, his New Deal programmes endeared him to the American people much to the chagrin of the Republicans.
At home, President Mnangagwa enunciated Vision 2030 and said he is a listening leader.
For a long time, local authorities had seen a dearth of development owing to corruption and lack of funds for that purpose as ratepayers failed to pay for services rendered for one reason or another.
Crucially, the NDS1 has to be explained to the generality of the people for them to appreciate what is happening in pursuit of decentralisation.
A shared vision normally brings forth positive results.
The climate-proofed agriculture concept of Pfumvudza/Intwasa is a noble idea and a good number of households continue to benefit immensely from the programme throughout the country.
However, in the current season, there are some areas which did not receive inputs before the onset of the rainy season, and it has been recommended that in future inputs must be distributed by October as the country moves to regain its breadbasket of Africa status.
Devolution has been one of the major highlights of the 2013 Constitution and until recently, very little had been done to follow through on that agenda.
However, President Mnangagwa made it possible for devolution funds to find their way to local authorities since the national budget had specific funds allocated to that purpose.
Local authorities must cast away the tag of corruption hanging over their heads so that they can use the devolution funds without suspicion.
Oftentimes tender regulations are flouted and the ultimate loser is the ordinary citizen.
From $310 million in 2019 to $2,9 billion in 2020, one can see an upward trend in the allotment of financial resources to the devolution agenda.
In Zimbabwe, the framework for devolution is enshrined in Section 264 of the Constitution.
Thus, Government is upholding constitutionalism.
Increased funding and timeous disbursement of the devolution funds is a boon to development efforts.
It is important to point out the three types of devolution; namely political, administrative and market.
It is the economic impetus that Government is vigorously pursuing to take everyone on board.
All the country’s provinces have seen infrastructure development go several gears up, which in turn will drive the wheels of the economy.
Decentralisation is the way to go.
Government needs to ensure that no corrupt elements hold back this forward drive to achieving an upper-middle income economy by 2030.
For example, teachers can be recruited at district level to avoid no-shows by the classroom practitioners as it is the learner that suffers at the end of the day.
Manicaland Province has not lagged behind the devolution drive and has also embraced NDS1.
According to the director in the Office of the Provincial Secretary for Devolution, Mr Munyaradzi Rubaya, a number of projects were successfully completed.
In every province, districts use the bottom-up approach to development where councillors hold meetings with residents and discuss development projects they can carry out in their respective areas.
It is prudent to use local expertise in furthering the devolution agenda in line with the decentralisation objectives.
To mitigate the adverse effects of the Covid-19 pandemic on the people, Government has been proactive in smooth delivery of public health services.
Efforts to attain herd immunity against coronavirus through vaccinating 60 percent of the country’s population, which is around 10 million people, the Government is moving to ensure that those aged 16 and above also receive the doses under the blitz.
Zimbabwe is also enjoying fruitful economic ties with its all-weather-friend, China.
This has seen the country receive Covid-19 vaccines that have helped the country edge ahead among others in African in vaccinating its people against Covid-19.
As of December 26, 4 105 020 Zimbabweans had received their first dose, while 3 113 149 had got the second dose.
The numbers are still going up getting into2022.
Government has since approved the administering of Covid-19 booster jabs to frontline workers as the vaccination blitz continues.
To this end, the health professionals should be applauded for remaining steadfast and diligent in duty despite a plethora of challenges the sector has been facing.
With all hands on the deck for the Government and health workers, the buy-in by the general citizenry by observing and upholding the public health regulations recommended by experts, the fight against Covid-19 can surely be won.
Devolution and NDS1 have been such twin game changers as the country pushes the development agenda and with Government putting people first, 2022 and beyond can be looked to with zest as everyone stands to benefit immensely from the programmes being implemented.
