GOVERNMENT should prioritise service delivery and hold local authorities accountable for failing to maintain essential services, a local research group, Zimbabwe Coalition on Debt and Development (Zimcodd) has said.
In its recent public resources management situational report, Zimcodd said government must ensure that basic services such as water, sanitation, healthcare, education and security are available to everyone, regardless of their income or location.
It said local authorities must be held to account for failing to maintain water pipers, local clinics and sewage systems, while responsible line ministries should be held accountable for dilapidating infrastructure.
“Performance assessments of ministers, permanent secretaries and local authority CEOs [chief executive officers] must reflect what is on the ground,” the report read.
Zimcodd said government should consult citizens on a regular basis to get their feedback on service delivery.
“Wider consultation with the citizens for effective evaluation of local authorities with respect to service delivery must be undertaken. Central government must timely disburse the 2023 allocated resources to ministries and local authorities [devolution fund] to ensure effective service delivery,” it added.
