ZIMASSET: Questions without answers?
Following the recent introduction of Zimasset, I have so many questions on how the program can help the ordinary person on the street and how we as citizens can facilitate its implementation. No one is selling this program to the common people but I feel the selling points to the ordinary people are the eradication of poverty and corruption.
WHY NOT CARRY OUT A ROADSHOW ON ZIMASSET?
The government should carry out roadshows similar to the sanctions petition where ordinary people are told how Zimasset can be a tool for social and economic change. The roadshows will also highlight and articulate how corruption and poverty can be reduced if the policy is implemented.
People should be told of incentives on whistleblowing on corrupt activities. The government should be able to reward its citizens when they report cases of corruption; this will be an opportunity for the government to have permanent checks and control over public funds.
What is the role of government departments like Ministry of Information, Indigenization, and Women Affairs, Education and Youth in sensitizing the people under their respective portfolio on the pro and cons of Zimasset?
WHAT IS ZIMASSET TO THE POOR?
Is Zimasset the answer to poverty and economic development for Zimbabwe or it is just another talking topic in bars and other social gatherings like funerals and political rallies? Do we have the political will to tackle issues and implement?
What does it mean to the poor? Will it change their current situation or will it worsen it?
WHAT WILL BECOME OF THE UTILITIES?
How will Zimasset reduce rates to realistic levels? What policies must be set in place to protect the public from extortionist and over staffed utilities?
Ideal rates and utility charges must be used as points of redistribution of wealth within a given economy. This calls for a fifth cluster on Public Utilities and Rates which will be able to have an oversight of charges being charged by other clusters.
WHAT WILL ZIMASSET DO TO PUBLIC SERVANTS AND THEIR JOBS?
There is a need to go to Ministries, departments and sections that generate and collect revenues and take a detailed study of their activities. This will enable us to match and link revenue generating activities and the desired result of a particular utility. This will also allow government to direct savings to targeted areas of need,
The people have another unanswered question; is the current performance appraisal system aligned to Zimasset?
The civil servants who have been grossly underpaid or overcharged by utilities must get his or her just compensation through realistic performance management systems that cascade to utilities under their departments.
Civil servants have carried the burden of utilities and the government must take bold steps to reward them for their diligence and resilience since the year 2000.Has Zimasset addressed the concerns of the civil servants?
HOW WILL ZIMASSET REDUCE CORRUPTION?
The above approach will be able to identify areas where resources have been diverted and are being mishandled. It is known that poverty is the principal cause of corruption, not vice versa as a nation we have accepted this and corruption in turn drives poverty levels up.
Can we as a nation break this cycle by implementing Zimasset, and take decisive action?
The top two priorities for Zimasset should be to tackle corruption followed by poverty reduction. Corruption and poverty reduction should both be targeted and be treated as a security issue.
WHAT ARE ZIMASSET DELIVERABLES?
Zimasset is being implemented by the highest office in the country that means the government has prioritized Zimasset. My questions what are the OPIC deliverables? Is it how many corrupt people are arrested, a sharp drop in poverty level or double digit economic growth rate?
The above questions must have answers from the authors and architects of Zimasset. When the people know the deliverables and answers, then the government will be able to sell this noble program. Yes, we have it on paper now let us as a nation walk the talk.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Edmore Mbuzana Mlambo is not a professional writer but just a blogger. You can follow him on twitter.com/mbuzana1 or read his common nonsense on this blog or meet him on www.facebook.com/edmore.mbuzanamlambo or read aboutme.com/edmorembuzanamlambo.
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Edmore Mbuzana 
