MASVINGO City Council has earmarked this year’s Devolution Funds for the review of its Master Plan, in accordance with the requirements of the “Call to Action” guiding document.
According to the recently launched “No compromise to Service Delivery” declaration document by President Emmerson Mnangagwa, all local authorities are expected to produce master plans by June 30. Masvingo, according to the minutes of the Public Works and Planning Committee, will use US$180 000 of this year’s Devolution Funds for the review process.
“Consideration was given to the report of the Acting Director of Engineering, Services Kudzaishe Mbetu, on the request for authority to utilise US$180 000 2024 devolution funds towards City of Masvingo Master Plan review process. It was reported that the Call to Action, “No compromise to Service Delivery” by His Excellency the President directed that all local authorities should prepare or review their Master Plans,” reads the minutes.
“It was reported that His Excellency, the President directed that local authorities could access Devolution Funds towards master planning as a funding relief provision. Authority was being sought for Council to access US$180 000 from Central Government as a provisional figure for the project.”
The request was granted with the actual figures to be availed during consultancy services procurement. Meanwhile, the Finance and General Purposes Committee instructed the Masvingo Town Clerk, Engineer Edward Mukaratirwa, to formulate a local economic development plan for presentation by the end of March.
“Consideration was given to the report of the Finance Director, Danister Jori, on the roadmap for the crafting of a Local Economic Development (LED) plan following a workshop, organised by the parent Ministry, which focused on the development of a local economic plan in a devolved context.
“It was reported that LED involved the decentralised facilitation and regulation of local economies to achieve growth and improve the quality of life of the local population. It was resolved to recommend that the Town Clerk be instructed to formulate a Local Economic Development Plan for presentation to Council by the end of March 2024.” — New Ziana