The ManicaPost
Abel Zhakata
Senior Reporter
MORE than 120 projects have been completed, while several others are at various stages of completion as local authorities in Manicaland use the $220 million devolution funds disbursed by the Government to the province this year.
The projects include schools, clinics, roads, plant equipment, water and sanitation facilities in line with the country’s Vision 2030 which seeks to create a prosperous and empowered upper middle income society in the next nine years.
The country is pursuing Vision 2030 through National Development Strategy 1 (NDS1) which acknowledges that the public’s standards of living are a top priority in national economic development.
Manicaland Secretary for Provincial Affairs and Devolution, Mr Edgars Seenza, said devolution funds have ushered a new wave of development in the communities.
“What is important is that the public was consulted in choosing projects that have the greatest impact in their communities. Villagers were taken on board and that is why the impact is high. As more funds are disbursed, more projects will be embarked on,” he said.
Mr Seenza said almost all local authorities had exhausted funds received from Treasury and now awaited more disbursements.
“As for next year, I really don’t know how much is needed by each local authority, but what I know is that more funding is needed. Disbursements will come soon so that we cover more ground and make the public more comfortable,” he said.
Chipinge Town Council has used the biggest chunk of the funding with more than $50 million used to upgrade water reticulation in Gaza.
The council has also embarked on the Usanga Water Kiosk Reticulation System.
A road compactor, a water bowser and valuation roll have also been acquired.
City of Mutare did three major projects which chewed up more than $40m.
The Mutare Infectious Diseases Hospital refurbishment used about $21 million, while the yet-to-be-completed Dangamvura Water Project has so far utilised $12 million.
Most of the works at the Dangamvura Water Project have been completed, save for the installation of valve chambers along the line, which is at 97 percent complete. Kumbirai Kangai (Aerodrome) Road rehabilitation used about $7 million.
However, poor workmanship on that road has left residents fuming as potholes are already littering some parts of the roads barely four months after its rehabilitation.
Council is on record saying the contractor has been instructed to redo the flawed patches.
Rusape Town Council did several projects that have since revamped the outlook of the fast expanding local authority.
Projects that have been completed include the Magamba Extension Water Reticulation construction ($4m), purchase of a vibratory compactor, water treatment chemicals and fire-fighting equipment.
Nyanga Rural District Council has so far used close to $40m to buy a motorised grader, rehabilitate the Charamba-Chirimanyimo Road, construct people’s markets, drill boreholes and construct the Mapako, Munemo and Sanhani clinics.
Nyanga urban roads were also rehabilitated, while public lighting has been installed.
In Buhera, the local authority constructed 12 classroom blocks in Wards 10 and 25 at an estimated cost of $7,4m.
A solar system was installed at Mbundire Clinic at a cost of $3,4m, while repairs on the council’s motorised grader gobbled close to $4m.
The grader is now being used to repair the district’s roads which were badly damaged by the heavy rains received last season.
Chimanimani Rural District Council used $1, 5 million to purchase a tipper truck, while work at Hotsprings Clinic chewed $4,1m. Almost $500 000 was used to renovate Mhakwe Clinic.
The Chimanimani Village Vegetable Market was redone at a cost of $900 000 while the Ngangu storm drains were constructed to the tune of $400 000.
The Copa Vegetable Market used $2, 8m of the devolution funds.
Mutare Rural District Council used $9m to construct the Odzi Community Hall. The refurbishment of the Bezel Bridge public toilets was done at a cost of $420 000, while the Chishingwi Clinic repairs used $300 000.
The resurfacing of Marange roads used $2,5m, while about $5m was used to repair a grader, purchase a dumper truck, water bowser and two tractors; as well constructing two classroom blocks at Kundiso Primary School.
In Mutasa, Sanyamandwe Hall was renovated, while repairs on the Grange Road were completed.
Tsvingwe Clinic repairs and renovations were completed to the tune of $300 000.
Nyamukwarara Clinic and Zimbabwe New Hope Home were renovated using about $400 000.
Other projects done by the local authority include the work done on Tsvingwe Bus Terminus, Tsvingwe Fish Ponds, Chinyanjera Water Tank and the Chirarwe-Nyamazi causeway.
Construction has also been done on the Zongoro Manhede road and the Hauna Link bridge.
Several clinics, roads, boreholes and dip tanks were repaired in the district.
The local authority also bought plant equipment which include graders, water bowsers and tractors.
