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Ruwa is on of
a number of local authorities in Zimbabwe which practices participatory
budgeting. It is located some 25 km from Harare, the capital city of
Zimbabwe. During the Regional Workshop on Participatory Budgeting which
was held from the 6th – 8th of March 2007,
participants had an opportunity to visit some projects and companies in
Ruwa.
The major
driving force behind Participatory Budgeting in Ruwa is the realization
and appreciation by the citizens that the council does not have enough
revenue to provide the much needed basic services. One major problem
confronting the council is the provision of water. Over the years Ruwa
had to grapple with this problem which had seen all residents and the
private sector going for weeks without water.
This common
problem has created an opportunity for Private – Public Partnerships in
the provision of services. A case in point is when three private
companies in Ruwa, Megapak, Frupac and Pioneer Seeds mobilised their own
funds to assist the council to drill a borehole in order to provide
water to the residents, the local board, schools and health institutions
clinics in the area. The council is responsible for the maintenance and
overall management of the borehole while residents also contribute to
the maintenance through payment of rates.
Another form
of Public – Private Partnership in Ruwa has seen the construction of
water storage tanks and a water purification system. These tanks were
constructed through a partnership between the council – the Reserve Bank
of Zimbabwe and Damofalls Land Developers (a private company responsible
for servicing residential stands). (see Picture below). |
