By Tinotenda Mhizha
MAKONDE District has received a pat on the back from Government over its management of devolution funds it channelled towards service delivery.
Makonde Rural District Council was established in the early 1990s following the amalgamation of three local authorities, namely; Umboe RDC, Chitomborwizi RDC and Chirorodziva RDC.
It is composed of 19 wards covering an area of approximately 8 680 km2 and has a population of about 153 540 people.
Never in its history has Makonde RDC achieved so much progress and credit goes to the Government for embarking on devolution.
The devolution agenda recognises the right of communities to manage their own affairs and to further their own development, with the various tiers of Government complementing each other in providing efficient and effective service delivery to the people.
Finance and Economic Development Minister Mthuli Ncube, in his budget statement, singled out Makonde District as one of the local authorities that effectively used its portion of devolution funds.
“A case in point is the impact of devolution funds in Makonde District, which in 2020 received more than ZW$4,8 million.
“The district has made great strides in the delivery of water, health and education through use of devolution funds.”
Among the projects undertaken are the drilling of solar-powered boreholes and tanks in at least seven wards in the district, while a school is under construction in Ward 18.
For roads rehabilitation, the district acquired a motorised grader to improve its road service network system.
Targeted for the year 2021 are more than 20 health institutions in the rural parts of the district to shorten the distance travelled by people to access health services.
Last year, the total devolution allocation by Government was ZW$2,93 billion, of which ZW$703,8 million was disbursed on September 30.
The resources supported various impactful projects being undertaken at the community level covering health, education, water and sanitation as well as roads, among others.
This year, the council plans to acquire more plant equipment after learning that Government plans to increase funding to local authorities from the initial five percent.
The equipment earmarked for acquisition include a borehole drilling rig and tractors, which are primed to ensure service delivery in the areas of roads maintenance, waste management and water provision.