News / National
Govt approves motorbikes for rural district councillors
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The Ministry of Local Government and Public Works has authorized rural district councils (RDCs) to acquire motorbikes for their councillors as part of a broader government initiative to improve service delivery across rural Zimbabwe.
Several RDCs have already secured the motorbikes, while others are still in the process of finalizing tender procedures. Minister of Local Government and Public Works, Daniel Garwe, recently oversaw the handover of motorbikes in various areas, marking a significant step toward enhancing mobility for councillors in rural wards.
The move is part of the government's latest call-to-action plan, aimed at strengthening local governance and ensuring that councillors can effectively reach all areas within their jurisdictions. RDCs that have already received the motorbikes include Zvishavane, Chikomba, Gwanda, Mberengwa, and Mbire, among others.
Mberengwa RDC Chairperson Garisai Moyo expressed his gratitude for the initiative, noting that it would greatly improve the ability of councillors to cover their vast areas. "We appreciate this initiative, and we secured the motorbikes on our own. We need to up the game and enhance the councillors' mobility in their respective wards, resulting in the effective and efficient coordination of developmental projects in all 35 wards," Moyo said.
Chikomba RDC Chairperson Israel Dhikinya added that some of their wards stretched beyond 50 kilometers, making it difficult for councillors to effectively carry out their duties. "The motorbikes will enable councillors to efficiently carry out their duties in their respective wards," Dhikinya explained.
For female leaders like Gwanda Ward 3 Councillor Linda Moyo, the motorbikes have come at an especially timely moment. "We have a lot of responsibilities that come with being a councillor, such as data collection, sending out information to villagers, identifying developmental gaps, and checking on progress, among others," she said.
Moyo added that accessing remote areas in her ward had previously been a challenge. "We had challenges in accessing some areas in our wards, which are large, and some villagers were complaining that we were not visible. But with these motorbikes, the situation will improve," she said, emphasizing how the bikes would help bridge the gap between councillors and the communities they serve.
Under the new initiative, RDCs are acquiring the motorbikes, and councillors will repay the amounts advanced to them as loans. This scheme is designed to ensure that the motorbikes remain a sustainable resource for improving governance at the local level.
As more councils finalize their tender processes, the government's motorbike initiative is expected to significantly enhance the mobility and visibility of councillors, ultimately driving improved service delivery and stronger community engagement across Zimbabwe's rural areas.
Several RDCs have already secured the motorbikes, while others are still in the process of finalizing tender procedures. Minister of Local Government and Public Works, Daniel Garwe, recently oversaw the handover of motorbikes in various areas, marking a significant step toward enhancing mobility for councillors in rural wards.
The move is part of the government's latest call-to-action plan, aimed at strengthening local governance and ensuring that councillors can effectively reach all areas within their jurisdictions. RDCs that have already received the motorbikes include Zvishavane, Chikomba, Gwanda, Mberengwa, and Mbire, among others.
Mberengwa RDC Chairperson Garisai Moyo expressed his gratitude for the initiative, noting that it would greatly improve the ability of councillors to cover their vast areas. "We appreciate this initiative, and we secured the motorbikes on our own. We need to up the game and enhance the councillors' mobility in their respective wards, resulting in the effective and efficient coordination of developmental projects in all 35 wards," Moyo said.
For female leaders like Gwanda Ward 3 Councillor Linda Moyo, the motorbikes have come at an especially timely moment. "We have a lot of responsibilities that come with being a councillor, such as data collection, sending out information to villagers, identifying developmental gaps, and checking on progress, among others," she said.
Moyo added that accessing remote areas in her ward had previously been a challenge. "We had challenges in accessing some areas in our wards, which are large, and some villagers were complaining that we were not visible. But with these motorbikes, the situation will improve," she said, emphasizing how the bikes would help bridge the gap between councillors and the communities they serve.
Under the new initiative, RDCs are acquiring the motorbikes, and councillors will repay the amounts advanced to them as loans. This scheme is designed to ensure that the motorbikes remain a sustainable resource for improving governance at the local level.
As more councils finalize their tender processes, the government's motorbike initiative is expected to significantly enhance the mobility and visibility of councillors, ultimately driving improved service delivery and stronger community engagement across Zimbabwe's rural areas.
Source - newsday
