By Florence Zirima
Chitungwiza and Manyame Rural Residents Association (CAMERA) director Mr Marvellous Khumalo says access to information is critical from local authorities as it increases stakeholder participation and improves service delivery. Mr Khumalo said this in an interview with Media Identities news recently.
“Access to information from local authorities enables stakeholders to engage and contribute from an informed position making their involvement meaningful”, he said.
Mr Khumalo told this publication that the involvement of stakeholders adds value to the local governance processes of enhancing the quality of service delivery.
He also revealed that access to information promotes accountability.
“It is important for social accountability. When residents audition the activities of the local authorities they need to be informed on the council budget, strategic plans as well as annual plans”, he said.
This publication also interviewed residents of Harare on the importance of access to information from the councils.
A resident in Waterfalls noted that improved service delivery is hinged on citizens asking city father’s pertinent questions.
“It is important to exercise the right to access to information so that we know how council is operating in terms of garbage collection and water cuts and this helps us as residents to stay prepared. Many a times we miss the garbage trucks because of lack of information and people resort to dispose their garbage at undesignated dumpsites”, he said.
Another resident shared the same centiments saying the Harare City Council is failing to give people enough information about the water cuts.
“The council should at least give people a time table as to when it will not provide water to residents. It is even hard during this time of Covid-19 when we really need the water to constantly wash our hand to prevent the spread of the virus”, she said.
Another Harare resident highlighted the importance of knowing the council budget.
“As residents we have a right to be informed about the council budget and many people should be invited when it is presented so that we know how the council is utilising resources”, he said.
The Freedom of Information Act replaced the old Access to Information and Protection of Privacy Act (AIPPA) in 2020 to provide
citizens and media practitioners’ access to information as is provided for by the Constitution
Section 62. This new law ensures that any citizen or journalist can approach the public bodies
with request to information. It also enable women, girls, youths
and all vulnerable groups to participate in democracy, human rights and accountability as
they can easily access information that contributes to monitoring of usage of public
resources.
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