Bridget Mabanda
The City of Harare has embarked on a decentralization programme which will see District Officers having the to run their districts in a way which will bring development in their local spheres of influence.
The council said it will have five regional offices that are divided into five zones with each being headed by a Regional Manager.
Speaking at a councilors’ familiarization meeting at Town House, Town Clerk Eng. Hosiah Chisango urged District Officers to work hard for the programme to be accomplished.
“As District Officers in your new enhanced roles as drivers of service delivery and revenue collection at the local level, it is important that you are customer responsive, dedicated and self-driven.
“Self-driven particularly in ensuring that the residents in your districts pay for the services rendered.
“You must be self -driven in ensuring that customer complaints are addressed on time. You will all agree with me that we have reached an all-time low in revenue collection because as a collective, we have not made reasonable efforts to collect what we are owed,” said Chisango.
Chisango also said there is need for team work among employees saying that working as individuals usually affect the outcome.
“We are one City and the silo mentality, which is counter-productive, continues to affect our operations.
“Close collaboration between you and others within the district is key to unlocking our potential. We have no luxury to engage in unnecessary conflicts. We must roll up our sleeves and fight together for the good of our city,” he added.
Chisango condemned low collections saying that they have significant impact on service delivery, leading to inefficient resource allocation, inability to meet service demands, inability to invest in infrastructure, and increased accrual debt.
He added that the Executive and District Officers have a role to play in rescuing the City from sinking further into financial sinkhole and be able to provide services to the expectations of the residents and clients to activate them to enjoy paying for the service rendered.
