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By Staff Writer
Chinhoyi – Local authorities have been urged to freely give out information related to their operations to residents for a mutually conducive working relationship.
The call was made by Liberty Chitiya, Mashonaland West Provincial Chairperson for Zimbabwe National Organization of Associations of Residents Trusts during a provincial induction workshop for community coordinators in Chinhoyi.
Chitiya said the public relations departments in local authorities should be ready to give out information when required especially by ratepayers.
“We urge our public relations departments within various local authorities to be prepared in opening up their disclosure policies in line with the Freedom of Information Act and the Urban Council Act provisions on making easier access to full council minutes and other related information that may be of interest from local authorities by residents,” he said.
Chitiya urged local authorities and staff to use various social media engagements in their communities to constantly interact with residents during this era of virtual engagements.
Urban Councils of Zimbabwe President, Councilor A. Matsika said an improved working relationship between residents and councils should be noted after the induction workshop.
“After this capacitation of residents, we expect an improved working environment between us (councils), and residents’ roles and responsibilities would have been clearly laid out,” he said.
Matsika implored residents to take ownership of council activities and encouraged the attendance of council budget consultative meetings and spell out community needs during devolution meetings.
” We appeal to our residents to attend and participate in budget consultation meetings as this is an area of concern. Residents should take ownership of council budgets hence the importance of participating in consultation processes,” he said.
Matsika said his organization is committed to offering the best service delivery dovetailed to fulfill the country’s vision of becoming a middle-income economy by 2030.
The induction workshops are meant to capacitive community area coordinators from Mashonaland West to effectively engage local authorities on service delivery