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CHRA convenes National Residents Associations Forum
Combined Harare Residents Association (CHRA)
October 01, 2008

The Combined Harare Residents Association (CHRA) convened a National Residents Associations consultative Forum (NRACF) from Friday September the 26th to Sunday the 29th of September at Bulawayo Rainbow Hotel. The conference was attended by representatives from 19 vibrant Residents Associations from different parts of the country, representatives of the Zimbabwe United Residents Associations (ZURA) councilors from Bulawayo, Members of the House of Assembly and partners from the civic society. The conference sought to build a common and coordinated voice amongst Residents Associations on key local Government issues as well as municipal service delivery. Key issues debated at the conference include;

• The state of service delivery and the role of the Inclusive Government
• Democratization of local Government laws and structures
• Constitutionalisation of the local Government laws and structure
• Women and vulnerable groups' participation in local government processes

The conference made the following resolutions on the issues debated;

• Local Government laws and structure must be democratized to enhance accountability, transparency and residents participation in all the processes
• Residents Associations must lobby for the constitutionalisation of local Government laws and structure
• Residents Associations must begin initiatives to enhance the women's and other vulnerable groups' participation in local Government processes
• Residents Associations will increase their advocacy for the reversal of the reckless and irresponsible ZINWA take over decision, which has cost so many lives owing to cholera outbreaks.

The Associations reaffirmed their commitment to enhanced civic participation and demanding quality service delivery across the country. The conference agreed on the necessity of regular meetings of this kind and the need to create synergies among Residents Associations and partnerships with other stakeholders across the country as well as the need for the Residents Associations to speak with one voice.

At the end of the conference, the Associations agreed on a national action plan meant to operationalise the agreed resolutions. CHRA remains firmly committed to its mission to enhance citizen participation in local Government processes. The Association stands ready to extend this vision to other Residents Associations and help boost their capacity to implement such programs.

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