Story by Stanley James, Business Editor
CABINET has approved minimum service delivery standards for local authorities to facilitate efficient service delivery.
Speaking at a post-cabinet media briefing in Harare this Tuesday, the Minister of Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services, Dr Jenfan Muswere emphasised that government seeks to ensure that ratepayers get value for their money, while steering the country toward achieving upper-middle-income status by 2030.
“The minimum service delivery standards framework places focus on water supply, sanitation, solid waste management, roads and public lighting, corporate governance, public health, environmental issues and housing and community services. Each area has performance indicators, benchmarks and performance standards. The data will be submitted online with real-time dashboard systems being implemented to track, monitor and evaluate progress,” Dr Muswere said.
The development comes as several local authorities are struggling to provide basic services that include refuse collection, provision of water and sanitary services as well as maintenance of roads.
This has prompted the government to intervene through such programmes as the Emergency Roads Rehabilitation Programme (ERRP) which has been extended to urban areas.
Cabinet also noted progress on price and exchange rate stability during the period between January and March 2025.
“The public is advised that there is a positive correlation between the movement in the prices of basic commodities and exchange rate movements. On a positive note, the gap between the official and parallel market rates has been narrowing towards some convergence during the period under review,” Dr Muswere noted.
A Climate Change Amendment Bill was also approved by the cabinet.
“The Bill will regulate greenhouse emissions, promote low carbon development and support carbon trading. It will establish a designated National Authority for Carbon Trading and a National Climate Fund to support climate change initiatives. By providing a comprehensive legal framework, the Bill will address gaps in the existing climate-related statutes ensuring a coordinated approach to climate change management across various sectors.”
Other key takeaways from the post-cabinet briefing were a review of the 2025 Zimbabwe International Trade Fair and reports on 100-day cycle projects being implemented across the country.
