Ministers call on councils to transform local services through digital means
By Dumisani Ndlovu
Local Government and Public Works Minister, July Moyo has urged Councils to upgrade digital information and communications technology for the benefit of their localities.
The minister said this while addressing local authorities that he was meeting together with his local Government experts to defend their proposed 2023 budgets. Minister Moyo had called the 92 urban and rural authorities to Gweru for this year’s budget approval process.
The process which started on Wednesday is expected to end on Sunday.
“I welcome you all to the 2023 budget approval process, when Government is implementing people centred development policies that are accelerating the trajectory towards vision 2030. The same approach has to be seen to manifest across the whole of Government, local authorities included,” he said.
In that regard, Minister Moyo said the Ministry will permit local authorities who choose to utilise the 10 percent Devolution funds operational grant for the purpose of producing general Valuation Roll and for upgrading digital systems to do so.
Minister Moyo said, the budget approval process, is also coming after a vigorous capacity building process concentrating on revenues generation, financial modelling and drafting of by-laws conducted and facilitated by the Ministry with the aim of addressing key issues that emanated from the prior budget approval process.
“Few systems audits had been conducted and local authorities revealed issues that need urgent attention some of which had been revealed during the prior year budget approval process, including lack of vision to take the local authority to world class status, poor spatial planning, inadequate digital systems and absence of policies and standard operating procedures
“I am informed that for 2022 there are 17 new applications with the department of Estates and Valuations at the Ministry.
Minister Moyo said as local authorities are currently being assessed, he was impressed that Buhera RDC and Bikita RDC are amongst the list. He challenged all other local authorities follow suit.
“Let me reiterate that local authorities must produce draft financial accounts, quarterly reports and monthly management consistently in line with statutory provisions. All local authorities should attempt to produce updated Valuation Rolls by the 3rd quarter and improve their digital systems to enhance revenue generation and general management of operations,” he said.
In his short presentation, the Minister said during the budget approval process each local authority will be tabling its 2023 budget for interrogation before it is approved.
“The Ministry will not approve any budget which doesn’t meet the requirements. The budget should be realistic and should not overburden the rate payers. Issues of gender equality and employment creation should also be addressed before the budget is approved,” he said.
Digital transformation in local government aims to use technology to improve the way the council serves its local residents and other community stakeholders.
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