By Flata Kavinga
Midlands Minister of State for Provincial Affairs and Devolution, Owen Ncube, has called on local authorities to prioritise efficient service delivery as a key driver of investment promotion in their areas of jurisdiction.
Speaking during a tour of NDS 2-aligned central business district (CBD) developments in Kwekwe on Monday, Ncube said improved service delivery by councils was critical in creating an enabling environment for both local and foreign investors.
The minister toured several privately owned developments, including Juden and GTS service stations, Chahwanda Complex and Edith Medical Centre, before proceeding to the Mbizo 18 Housing Project.
Ncube said the developments demonstrated the role of private-sector-led investment in modernising urban centres and contributing to national economic growth in line with National Development Strategy 2 (NDS 2) and Vision 2030.
“These investments show what can be achieved when local authorities provide reliable services and create a conducive operating environment for investors,” he said. “I therefore urge all local authorities to fully embrace investment promotion by strengthening service delivery and adopting standards that suit local needs while being guided by global best practices.”
He said infrastructure development and housing remained key pillars under NDS 2, adding that ongoing public and private projects across the country were meant to accelerate Zimbabwe’s transition towards an upper middle-income economy by 2030.
Ncube also commended Kwekwe City Council for what he described as improvements in service delivery, noting that the local authority was recognised as the Best Run Local Authority in Zimbabwe for 2024. He challenged other councils to draw lessons from Kwekwe’s approach while maintaining consistency.
During the tour, the minister highlighted the contribution of the visited projects to employment creation, revenue generation and improved access to services. He noted that facilities such as Edith Medical Centre were expanding access to specialised healthcare, while commercial and service station developments were supporting small businesses and residents.
Ncube said councils had a responsibility to ensure that infrastructure, water supply, sanitation, roads and administrative processes supported investment growth rather than discouraging it.
The visit formed part of the Midlands Provincial leadership’s ongoing monitoring of development projects aligned to NDS 2 and devolution priorities.
