Source: Combined Harare Residents Association (CHRA)
The Chairperson of the Portfolio Committee on Local Government and Urban Development, Hon Irene Zindi, her entire committee and Ministry of Local Government officials have unanimously agreed that the Zimbabwe National Roads Administration (ZINARA) should be confined to a regulatory authority and that vehicle licensing should be the sole responsibility of Local Authorities.
This was said at a 2017 National Budget meeting held in the Parliament of Zimbabwe on the 17th of January 2017. The development follows a public spat between Harare Mayor, Councilor Bernard Manyenyeni, and ZINARA. The Minister of Local Government Hon. Savior Kasukuwere also exchanged words with the Minister of Transport Hon Joram Gumbo regarding the issue. The Portfolio Committee on Local Government questioned other issues affecting domestic resource mobilization in the Ministry of Local Government.
These included issues of land barons, land developers making a lot of money at the expense of the Ministry, 5% allocation to Local Authorities spelt out in Section 301 of Constitution of Zimbabwe, devolution, staff rationalization exercise, liquor licensing, the City of Harare Easipark Deal, ZUPCO and UDICORP dividends, and non-revenue water.
The Combined Harare Residents Association (CHRA) supports devolving functions of central government as provided for in the constitution.
Devolution should be supported by clearly spelt out budget allocation. Vehicle licensing should therefore be administered by Local Authorities so that accountability is demanded by residents from policy makers that are at the immediate convenience of residents.
Source: Combined Harare Residents Association (CHRA)