By Admore Mbonda in Chinhoyi
Mashonaland West – Local authorities in Mashonaland West are under increasing pressure to resolve critical salary arrears and service delivery failures, as Provincial Minister Marian Chombo called for urgent reforms at a meeting with urban and rural representatives at the Cooksey Memorial Hall.
Minister Chombo’s address focused on the escalating financial crisis faced by several councils, with particular attention drawn to NyamiNyami Rural District Council, which has not paid its workers for 10 months, and Chinhoyi, where employees are owed for the past six months.
The Minister warned that borrowing for operational costs was an unsustainable strategy, likening it to “digging a hole” that would only deepen the financial woes of these councils. “You should not borrow for consumption,” she stated.
“If you are dipping into the estate account, you need authorization from the Minister of Local Government, as he is the custodian of these funds.”
Chombo’s warning comes as local authorities are increasingly turning to loans to cover their mounting expenses.
Her remarks also took aim at the over-optimistic reports from councils, stating that they were not accurately reflecting the challenges faced by local governments.
“Even the President is concerned about the drop in service delivery nationwide, but the picture you presented is not reflective of the reality,” Chombo said, urging local councils to provide more honest assessments of their situations.
A major concern raised during the meeting was the state of water infrastructure in many localities.
Chombo pointed out that outdated water pipes could no longer cope with the growing population, particularly in urban areas where migration has intensified.
She referenced earlier comments from the Minister of Local Government, advocating for strategic partnerships to enhance water service delivery and improve the aging infrastructure.
“The pipes are antiquated and cannot support the population increases,” she said, stressing the need for forward-thinking solutions to upgrade critical infrastructure.
As the meeting concluded, there was broad consensus that immediate action was needed to address both the financial difficulties and the deteriorating public services across Mashonaland West.
Minister Chombo’s call for accountability and cooperation signaled a renewed commitment to ensuring that local governments can provide the essential services needed for the well-being of their communities.
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