Staff Reporter

Citizens across Zimbabwe have expressed their approval and enthusiasm for President Emmerson Mnangagwa's recent announcement on the introduction of awards for the best-performing local councils in 2024.

This innovative measure, aimed at enhancing service delivery and fostering a competitive environment among councils, has been widely welcomed as a positive step towards improving local governance and administration.

The Permanent Secretary of Local Government and Public Works, Dr. John Bhasera, took to his X handle to commend this initiative.

“The introduction of awards for the best performing councils from 2024 is a significant move to instil a competitive spirit among local authorities, which is expected to have a positive impact on service delivery. This is a call to action that is now in motion,” Bhasera shared on his X handle.

In Harare, residents like Mary Chikomba are optimistic about the potential impact of these awards.

“President Mnangagwa's visionary leadership in encouraging competition among local councils is commendable. It's a beacon of hope for areas like our beloved Sunshine City, which has faced numerous challenges. These awards are expected to kindle a healthy competitive spirit, driving councils to achieve higher standards in their services,” Chikomba expressed.

Local Government and Public Works Minister, Winston Chitando, while addressing chief accounting officers from various local authorities in Nyanga, reinforced the Government's commitment to improving service delivery.

Minister Chitando highlighted that President Mnangagwa, starting in 2024, will personally oversee the awarding process for top-performing councils.

This initiative aligns with the President's broader objective of elevating the quality of public services.

This development has been particularly well-received in urban regions, which have historically grappled with service delivery challenges.

These issues have often been attributed to inefficient management by councillors, especially those from the Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC).

With the introduction of these awards, there is renewed hope among citizens for a turnaround in the performance of local councils, fostering a culture of accountability, efficiency, and excellence in public service delivery.