Courage Dutiro in Mwenezi
MWENEZI – Mwenezi Rural District Council (RDC) has embraced Information and Communication Technology (ICT) to improve communication with residents, enhance service delivery and promote greater transparency in local governance.
Speaking on the council’s digital transformation initiatives, Mwenezi RDC Chief Executive Officer, Engineer Albert Chivange, said the local authority is increasingly relying on digital platforms to ensure residents receive information quickly and conveniently.
Chivange said the council now sends bills directly to residents’ mobile phones, particularly those living in urban settlements such as Rutenga Growth Point, making it easier for ratepayers to receive and settle their accounts on time.
”We have adopted ICT tools to improve communication with our residents.
”Bills are now sent through mobile phones, especially for residents in urban areas like Rutenga. This has made our billing system more efficient and convenient,” said Chivange.
He said the council is also using WhatsApp groups, a WhatsApp Channel and its official Facebook page to disseminate important information, including public notices, development updates, service delivery announcements and community engagement messages.
According to Chivange, the digital platforms have strengthened interaction between the council and residents by providing timely updates while reducing reliance on traditional communication methods.
Beyond public communication, the council has also embraced ICT in its internal operations, with departments increasingly using digital tools to prepare and submit reports, improving efficiency and record management.
The move is part of Mwenezi RDC’s broader efforts to modernise its operations and align with the Government’s digitalisation agenda, which seeks to leverage technology to improve public service delivery.
Residents have welcomed the initiative, saying digital communication allows them to access council information faster and stay informed about developments affecting their communities without having to visit council offices.
He said as Council they will continue expanding the use of digital technologies to improve accessibility, accountability and efficient service delivery across the district.
The Council’s head of Engineering department, Eng Philip Madenga said , they have a WhatsApp group for residents in the District on which they disseminate information on.
With thousands of residents scattered across expansive resettlement areas, council officials believe embracing technology is key to ensuring that no community is left behind in accessing information and council services.
The RDC has vibrant social Media platforms on which they desminate information to residents and stakeholders
