By ALBERT MASAKA

THE Borrowdale Residents and Ratepayers Association (BRRA) is scaling new heights in building a brighter community for future generations in ward 18 with ambitious plans to upgrade the local council clinic into a state-of-the-art medical facility, construct a modern recreational facility, and develop further its waste separation centre commissioned today.

The Borrowdale Residents and Ratepayers Association (BRRA) chairman Robert Mutyasira said this today at the official handover ceremony of three community projects to the City of Harare.

These projects include a newly constructed bus stop and shelter along Crowhill Road at the Helensvale Business Centre, a beautifully manicured garden to enhance the area’s aesthetic appeal, the development of a waste separation centre and the upgrade of Borrowdale Clinic.

Mutyasira highlighted the importance of community development in nation-building at a ceremony officiated by a represanataive of the Minister of Provincial Affairs, Harare Metropolitan Province Senator Charles Tavengwa and attended by Hrare East MP Kiven Mutimbanyoka.

“Community development precedes national development,” he said.

“It’s the fundamental building block in transforming an entire nation. Unless we take deliberate action to own and develop our communities, we’re on a path to failure.”

Mutyasiri said these initiatives align with President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s  mantra, “Nyika inovakwa nevene vayo” (the country is built by its owners).

He added, “Every action has consequences, and the journey to building robust and resilient communities is never easy. But we must embark on it nonetheless.”

He reminded residents in his ward who had been lured by the ambience, aesthetics, order  and decorum  associated with ward 18, that all this was a result of the work done by his predecessors

“The affluence associated with the suburbs of this ward was not imposed, it was not created at Town House, it was at one time an agenda, a vision and a burden of like-minded individuals.”

Harare mayor Jacob Mafume represented by  councillor Stanley Manyanga, applauded the collaboration between the two service delivery organisations.

“To the Borrowdale Residents and Ratepayers Association: from the bottom of my heart thank you, You have set a new standard for civic engagement, You have shown us that when residents and council work together  nothing is impossible, you are not just part of the city, you are  engine of its progress.”

GOVERNMENT has reiterated its call on all local authorities to meet the deadline for the submission of their master plans in accordance with President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s directive

Local Government and Public Works Minister Daniel Garwe said this yesterday during an interactive meeting with all 92 local authorities.

Mnangagwa set June 30 as the deadline for all local authorities to have master plans at the launch of the service delivery Blueprint held in November last year under the theme Call to Action — No Compromise to Service Delivery.

It  also provided guidelines that local authorities had to follow to ensure that they provided efficient services in line with the country’s quest to achieve a middle-income economy by 2030.

 “It is critical to note that as we prepare for report back on targets set in the blueprint of the June 30 deadline around the corner, all local authorities should strive to achieve the stated milestones. We have no appetite to extend the deadline further,” Garwe said.

 “As the June deadline is around the corner now, all local authorities should strive to achieve the indicated milestones. We have no appetite to extend the deadline. June 30 remains the deadline unless there are serious circumstances.

Garwe said this was an instruction coming from President Mnangagwa.

Chitungwiza Municipality recently confirmed that it will not be able to meet the deadline and  was seeking an extension of the deadline.

He added that said his ministry was finalising the development of a minimum service delivery standard framework in order to enhance efficiency, accountability and transparency.

GOVERNMENT has temporarily suspended the allocation of State land until an efficient and transparent system that ensures urban State land is key in facilitating sustainable and functional developments is in operation.

According to a press statement issued by the Ministry of Local Government and Public Works, the moratorium will pave the way for the finalisation of the ongoing process that are reviewing and strengthening existing policy framework and guidelines on the administration and management of Urban State Land.

“In the interest of the public, the Government of Zimbabwe wishes to advise the nation of measures being put in place to enhance the administration and management of Urban State Land.

“The Ministry of Local Government and Public Works is mandated to administer, on behalf of His Excellency, the President, Cde Dr E.D. Mangagwa, Urban State Land, itself a finite heritage resource that is central to the national development thrust as espoused in the National Development Strategy 1 and Vision 2030.

The ministry implored stakeholders including the general public to be patient while the Ministry concludes the process.

“It is therefore imperative that an efficient and transparent system is put in place to ensure that Urban State Land plays a role in facilitating sustainable and functional developments.

“The Ministry therefore wishes to announce the imposition, with immediate effect, of a moratorium on allocation of Urban State Land until further notice.”

President Emmerson Mnangagwa recently  issued June 30 as the deadline for all local authorities to have approved master plans.

At that time only eight of 92 councils had approved plans, making it difficult for the rest of the local authorities to plan for the improvement and delivery of services.

Chitungwiza municipality was this week rescued by Prophet Walter Magaya who is funding the cash-strapped council’s master plan.