The ManicaPost
Tendai Gukutikwa
Post Reporter
DEVOLUTION funds have proven to be what the doctor rightly prescribed for Zimbabwe’s economic turnaround programmes, Local Government and Public Works Minister, Dr July Moyo, has said.
This comes as the southern African nation pursues its quest to attain an upper middle income economy by 2030.
Speaking in an interview on the sidelines of his ministry’s strategic meeting at a Mutare hotel recently, Minister Moyo said through the able leadership of President Mnangagwa, the implementation and disbursement of devolution funds had proved to be a success story as local authorities were improving their infrastructure and service delivery systems as the country moves towards attaining an upper middle income economy.
“If you go to any area in Zimbabwe, you will find many projects being implemented. We are compiling records on the number of the projects that have been successfully completed,” he said.
Minister Moyo said in Manicaland, each one of the seven rural local authorities and three urban local authorities have upped their game in infrastructure development through devolution funds.
“These authorities in Manicaland have done so much in the education and health service delivery sectors. A good example is the revamping and building of many clinics in the province and improvement of service delivery in general.
“Some have bought graders and equipment for use in roads rehabilitation. Some have renovated and upgraded their sewerage systems,” he said.
Disbursement of devolution funds is a Constitutional requirement.
Section 301 (3) of the Constitution states: “Not less than five percent of the national revenue raised in any financial year must be allocated to the provinces and local authorities as their share in that year.”
Said Minister Moyo: “Disbursing devolution funds is a constitutional requirement but unfortunately from 2013 to 2018, no devolution funds were disbursed.
“The funds were first disbursed to the provinces and local authorities in 2019 and we are now in the fourth year of implementation and the success stories keep piling up. This just shows how Vision 2030 is possible with the able leadership of President Mnangagwa,” said Minister Moyo.
He said while devolution funds are financed from Treasury and come in batches, which might be inconvenient to beneficiaries, local authorities should not despair as President Mnangagwa is pushing for timely disbursements.
“We are using money that is being financed through Treasury which does not have a pool of money. It comes in batches, but the commitment that Government has shown on devolution is unquestionable,” he said.
Minister Moyo said they are working on emergency disaster funding budgets for next year.
He also commended Government for properly handling the Covid-19 pandemic and the Cyclone Idai disaster.
“We are still working on the budgets for next year but for now we have adequate resources to deal with any potential disasters that might come our way. On Covid-19 and Cyclone Idai, the majority of resources that were deployed to save lives and rebuild damaged infrastructure came from Government and Zimbabweans, that is commendable,” he said.
In Chipinge, the once dusty and potholed roads are now trafficable courtesy of Government’s Emergency Road Rehabilitation Programme (ERRP).
The development has brought excitement to Chipinge residents following the completion of the Thiba-Dzonzai Road stretch which used to be a nightmare for many motorists and residents.
Interviewed residents said the ERRP programme is bringing solutions to Chipinge’s perennial road problems.
“As Chipinge residents, we are grateful for the tarring of the roads in our areas. Our roads are badly affected by the heavy rains we receive here annually. We hope the Government will maintain the roads.
“Some of our areas were not trafficable due to the poor state of the roads, but thanks to the funds, they are now in a better state,’’ said an elated Ms Tracy Mukuni of Gaza O suburb.
Another resident, Mr Taurai Sigauke said: “We are grateful for the strides made by Government and our council to surface the Thiba-Dzonzai Road. It was long overdue. We hope this will be extended to other roads as most of our roads are in a bad shape,” he said.
Chipinge Town Council chairperson, Councillor Lovemore Mkwapati said they are happy with the progress being made in finishing some of the ERRP projects.
“Apart from the Thiba-Dzonzai Road, there are various other projects the council is embarking on with agreed timelines. In our last road thematic meeting, we resolved that the Makatapeya Road must be graded and gravelled this month. We also agreed that by December, the grading of wards roads must have been completed,” he said.
The contractor who was working on the Thiba-Dzonzai Road, Engineer Byron Muzovaka expressed gratitude to Government for empowering local companies through road construction contracts.
“We have managed to deliver this project within the stipulated timeframe of 10 months. This project will positively impact on the local community and also stimulate economic growth,’’ he said.
