‘Devolution funds bring relief to RDCs’
GOVERNMENT has allocated local authorities in the Midlands province $23 million to date under the devolution fund in a positive development meant to transform people’s standards of living.
In an interview, Midlands Provincial Development Coordinator, Mr Abiot Maronge said rural and urban authorities had made significant progress in implementation of people-centred projects that are focused on improving service delivery.
He said the province had recorded a lot of progress in as far as infrastructure development, road, heath care system, education and water provision among others, the major projects being implemented by local and rural authorities.
“The major interventions revolve around disbursement of devolution funds. So far we have received roughly $23 million which was disbursed through both urban and local authorities. The province was allocated a total of $41,6 million. To date, a lot of work has been done in terms of implementing identified projects. And I should say we are impressed by most of the proposed projects that the councils are working on as they are fulfilling the desires of the Government,” he said
Mr Maronge said most local and rural authorities had been using the devolution funds to alleviate long-term challenges.
“If you go to Gweru, Zvishavane, Shurugwi and Redcliff, they have identified water-related projects as they have been facing problems in that area.
“We are happy with the results so far realised. This is exactly what Government had in mind when they came up with the devolution idea,” he said.
Mr Maronge said some councils like Gokwe town and Mberengwa also purchased road making equipment.
“Mberengwa and Gokwe town council purchased road making equipment that will see the roads being rehabilitated. They also discovered that this was their area of concern,” he said.
Kwekwe and Zibagwe RDC — Mr Maronge said also focused on infrastructure development where clinics, classroom blocks and staff cottages were constructed.
“As for other local authorities, they also focused on infrastructure development like clinics, borehole drilling, classroom blocks construction, and building of staff cottages at clinics and schools. This also means that there is proper accommodation in infrastructure across the province,” he said.
“So you will find that across the province, we have recorded significant progress and this is exactly what the Government is pushing for. We will continue ensuring that our local authorities are working on their projects and monitoring progress so that we improve people’s livelihoods.”
Mr Maronge, however, said the recently introduced procurement framework — Procurement Regulatory Act of Zimbabwe (PRAZ) — has seen some local authorities failing to utilise their funds.
“We have Tongogara RDC and Gokwe South RDC that have failed to utilise their development fund due to the recently introduced procurement framework which they are yet to acquaint themselves with. We will continue monitoring the local authorities and ensure that they get to use their funds,” he said.