Manicaland Minister of State for Provincial Affairs and Devolution, Misheck Mugadza, has pledged to strengthen devolution projects and introduce digital systems to improve service delivery in Mutasa District.
Mugadza said this after holding an interactive meeting, yesterday, with Mutasa Rural District Council leadership, councillors and traditional leaders to discuss strategies for improving public services and addressing development priorities across the district.
He said the engagement provided an opportunity for local leadership to identify challenges affecting service delivery and explore practical solutions to improve the livelihoods of residents.
“Our focus is on improving service delivery and ensuring that development initiatives respond to the needs of the people.
We held productive discussions with the leadership of Mutasa Rural District Council, councillors and traditional leaders on how best we can work together to accelerate development across the district,” Mugadza said.
He said Mutasa had considerable economic potential that could be harnessed to stimulate investment, create employment and improve household incomes.
“Mutasa is blessed with rich natural resources, including fertile farmland, tourism sites, timber and minerals. These resources provide opportunities for economic growth, but we must ensure that they are harnessed in ways that bring tangible benefits to local communities,” he said.
Mugadza said the district’s hardworking population was an important asset in advancing development, adding that collaboration between Government, local authorities and traditional leaders was necessary to translate available opportunities into meaningful progress.
“We have communities that are hardworking and eager to develop their home area. Our responsibility as leaders is to create an enabling environment, coordinate our efforts and ensure that the resources available in Mutasa contribute to improving the lives of residents,” he said.
He said the Government would continue prioritising devolution as a mechanism for bringing development closer to communities and ensuring that local needs informed project implementation.
“We are guided by His Excellency President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s vision to leave no one and no place behind. Devolution must translate into visible development in our communities, with projects that address the priorities of the people and improve access to essential services,” Mugadza said.
He added that strengthening the implementation of devolution projects would require closer coordination among provincial authorities, local councils and traditional leaders.
“We must strengthen the delivery of devolution projects and improve accountability in the way development programmes are implemented. Every intervention must contribute towards the development of our communities,” he said.
Mugadza also highlighted the importance of adopting digital systems to improve public service delivery and make local authorities more responsive to residents.
“By embracing digital systems, we can improve efficiency, strengthen communication and make services more accessible to the people of Mutasa,” he said.
The engagement forms part of broader efforts to promote locally driven development, improve public service delivery and unlock economic opportunities in Manicaland Province.
