The 4th of January 2019 saw the Vendors Initiative for Social and Economic Transformation (VISET) launching the first Community Decision Making Forum in Chiwundura Urban. The forums seek to develop inclusive solutions to challenges facing communities in and around Vungu and Chiwundura. The project is anchored on Active Citizen Engagement (ACE). Over 100 vendors and informal traders attended the forum meeting. The participants also included the Honorable Livingston Chiminya of Chiwundura House of Assembly Constituency and Woodlands Development Committee Chairperson. VISET, through its Socio-Economic Champions (SOCHAMPs), will facilitate community engagement and priority setting engagements on local governance issues in Vungu’s RDC which covers Chiwundura and Vungu House of Assembly constituencies.
Some of the challenges / priority areas identified by the vendors, informal traders and residents included the need to have decent vending structures to operate from, restoration of sewer and drainage systems and proper ablution facilities among other issues. In his closing remarks, Honorable Chiminya acknowledged the work being done by VISET as it is helping him interact with his constituency and recognize real issues and challenges faced by the residents and informal traders.
The issues brought up in the forums will be collated and presented as a way of enhancing Local Governance in Vungu RDC and ultimately result in active citizens participating in decision making processes.
Source: Vendors Initiative for Social and Economic Transformation (VISET)