By Chantelle Muzanenhamo
Minister of National Housing and Social Amenities, Dr. Daniel Garwe, announced ambitious plans to modernize local authority management systems, a development aimed particularly at enhancing service delivery within Zimbabwe’s property sector.
He stated this During a “Ministers’ Meet the Media” platform held in Harare yesterday.
Dr. Garwe articulated the necessity for local councils to leave behind archaic methods and embrace contemporary management software, as directed by President Emmerson Mnangagwa.
Addressing a gathering of journalists, Dr. Garwe reiterated the President’s call for innovation and efficiency in local governance.
“The President emphasized the need for management systems, the software for management systems to run our local authorities. It’s concerning to note that some of our local authorities still rely on pen and paper in this digital era. The President said that we must move with time; we cannot afford to cling to outdated technologies in management,” he stated firmly.
He also highlighted the critical need for accessible digital services for citizens, especially regarding housing. With over two million individuals currently awaiting accommodation, he pointed out a significant gap in local authorities’ ability to manage and share this data effectively.
“We know we have more than two million people aggregated on the waiting list for housing, yet no local authority can aggregate this information into a digital platform accessible to the public,” he explained.
The Minister underscored a vision for the future in alignment with Zimbabwe’s Vision 2030 goals, which aim to create a prosperous and technologically-savvy society.
“We are now saying, let us upgrade the systems and ensure that they are digitized. We want to make it convenient for you, so that if you are at home or in your office, you can use your smartphone to access a city council waiting list, check your position, or see who else is on the list,” he remarked.
As the country prepares to embrace the digital age, local authorities are urged to harness technology to meet the evolving needs of the populace, in line with the transformative goals of Vision 2030.