By Kudakwashe Vhenge
After the increased of budgetary allocation for devolution to ensure improvements of service delivery by government last week, Chitungwiza and Manyame Rural Residents Association (CAMERA) over the weekend engaged on a door to door campaign soliciting for input of citizens perspectives on devolution implementation.
The exercise by CAMERA which was done in ward 22 Seke South was meant to galvanize the masses in Chitungwiza so that they effectively and efficiently participate in devolution implementation in Zimbabwe.
Residents who spoke to this publication expressed gratitude sighting that for a long time they feel engaged in matters that affect their livelihoods.
One Theresa Makoni had this to say, “We welcome the initiative by our resident’s organization as they gather our views on issues of national interests.
“At least we can be able to express our views hoping that they will be accepted when they go and present them kuvakuru (leaders) on our behalf,” said Makoni.
CAMERA which is a member of Harare Metropolitan Residents Forum (HAMREF), a coalition of Residents Associations formed in the Metropolitan Province as a response to the growing need to respond to service delivery will is currently implementing a devolution Implementation campaign dubbed #LeaveNoResidentBehind.
The aim of this campaign is to enhance citizen participation in the formulation and implementation of devolution in Zimbabwe.
HAMREF chairperson, Marvelouse Khumalo said they will submit residents’ concerns to the parliament.
“Tomorrow we will engage 3 Parliamentary Portfolio Committees of the Parliament of Zimbabwe in an endeavor to share citizen perspective on reform of the Public Finance Management Act so that it captures the letter and spirit of devolution” said Khumalo.
Bulawayo Progressive Residents Association (BPRA) is expected to grace the occasion and offer in-depth submissions on critical matters to consider in Devolution.
Last week President Emerson Mnangagwa said government has allocated funds to be shared among the ten provinces based on a number of factors such as poverty levels, quality of infrastructure and size of the population.
