Mashonaland West Provincial Affairs and Devolution Minister, Mary Mliswa-Chikoka’s report on devolution;
THE Second Republic of Zimbabwe embarked on the devolution and decentralisation agenda since 2019.
As you may be aware, the drive was, and is, meant to effectively empower our local communities so that they are equipped to develop faster, efficient and effective responses to challenges of the delivery of public services, development, democracy, national unity and peace within Mashonaland West Province.
In this regard, the province has already hit the ground running and has established and implemented various projects aimed at improving the economy of the province as well as the livelihoods of people of Mashonaland West.
Let me hasten and indicate to you that funds amounting to ZW$375 342 000 have been allocated to the province by the Government of Zimbabwe between 2019 and 2020, and we are very grateful to Treasury for availing such funds; funds which will enhance the total transformation of the province into an economic powerhouse.
Of the monies given to us, a total of ZW$166 329 997 has been disbursed to 14 of our local authorities within the seven districts of the province.
This, as you may be aware, is meant to give powers of local governance to the people and enhance their participation in making decisions on day-to-day issues affecting them and their communities.
From the received funds, about
ZW$40 417 749 has been channelled towards the purchase of several equipment to improve service delivery in the province.
Some of these include two drillings rigs for Hurungwe and Mhondoro Ngezi rural district councils.
These rigs are to improve sanitation facilities by drilling boreholes which will supply clean and safe water, leading to a reduction in diseases associated with consumption of contaminated water.
In order to improve road rehabilitation and easy access to our communities, we have purchased a motorised grader for Makonde RDC. Hurungwe and Chirundu local boards benefitted from backhoe loaders, while three tipper trucks were purchased for Sanyati RDC and Chirundu Council.
You may also be interested in knowing that Karoi, Chirundu and Sanyati councils each further received a tractor.
This equipment and machinery is critical to stimulating the economy of the province through infrastructural development of road networks.
This is so, particularly in many of our rural communities. Ultimately, we will have an improved and well-serviced road network enhancing accessibility in most of the areas within the province.
The province has also been working round the clock to improve water sanitation and hygiene.
Funds amounting to about
ZW$35 708 671 have been availed and utilised towards the noble cause.
We used the funds towards rehabilitating water and sewer lines in urban areas.
To ensure adequate water supply in various rural areas, we drilled solar-powered boreholes.
For instance, Makonde RDC drilled seven solar-powered boreholes.
Another example is Mhondoro Ngezi which has established four piped water schemes for Wards 1, 11, 12 and 14.
A total of 29 boreholes were also drilled and equipped in its 16 wards.
This has immensely benefitted the people of Mhondoro-Ngezi District as they now have access to potable water.
In line with infrastructure development in the education and health sectors, devolution funds were used to construct and renovate education and health facilities within the province. Zvimba District had 20 schools whose classroom and administration blocks were either constructed or renovated.
Makonde District has seen the construction of Chidobera Primary School which is nearing completion.
The Chinhoyi Municipality’s main devolution and decentralisation thrust is improved service delivery as manifest through the renovation of two clinics, namely Mzari and Alaska.
Chegutu RDC has also constructed Danagwe and Ward 26 clinics which are nearing completion.
These institutions are significantly critical towards establishing provincial economic growth and development, particularly because an improved health care system leads to a healthy community and populace that can work and meaningfully contribute to the economy of the province.
In urban areas, some of the devolution funds were used to erect solar-powered tower lights to ensure that our streets are safe at night.
Norton Town Council installed a solar power back-up at Norton Hospital at a cost of ZW$3,8 million.
This infrastructure is essentially significant towards sustainable energy supplies.
A total of ZW$4 634 625 has been used to construct tower lights in Norton, Chinhoyi, Karoi and Chirundu.
Apart from solar-powered tower lights, the funds were also used for construction of market stalls ideal for small-scale business traders.
About ZW$16 184 644 has been channelled towards the construction of these facilities in Kariba, Karoi, Sanyati and Zvimba.
When completed, the facilities will help in curbing illegal vending and help generate sustainable income for the beneficiaries and local authorities.
In conclusion, I would like to thank central Government for availing the funds, our local authorities for their sterling efforts in improving the livelihoods of people in their jurisdictions, stakeholders, as well as the people of Mashonaland West Province for their continued guidance and support which will see us through to becoming an economic powerhouse and realising Vision 2030.
