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Bulawayo Bureau
The $187 million devolution funds received by Mangwe Rural District Council since 2019 have helped the council address key service delivery issues and resulted in the completion of new clinics and schools that had stalled for years.
With social amenities and infrastructure development being some of the major pillars of the National Development Strategy (NDS1), Mangwe Rural District Council channelled the larger chunk of devolution funds to health and education.
Devolution sees the transfer of central government funds earmarked for critical infrastructure to local authorities on the understanding that people on the spot should be able to set their own priorities and be able to mobilise other sources of finance, including local labour, to make the money go further.
Devolution funds are assisting local authorities to fulfil their obligation of ensuring improved access to social amenities across the country through the development of key infrastructure such as clinics, classroom blocks, roads, and bridges, among other facilities.
In Mangwe District, Izimnyama Clinic which had remained a pipe dream for 70 years has been completed after the local authority channelled $47 million towards the construction and equipment for the facility.
The clinic was mooted in 1953 but failed to take off. Efforts to resume the project resurfaced in the 1980s but never materialised. Two primary schools, Mzila Primary School in Ward 4 and Greystone Primary School, are under construction in the district from devolution funds.
So far, $40 million has been used towards building Greystone Primary School while $22,7 million has been used at Mzila Primary School.
Mangwe Rural District Council chief executive officer, Mr Bongani Ngwenya said the district has recorded significant growth in terms of infrastructure development since 2019 as a result of the devolution funds.
“Some of the projects that we have funded using devolution funds include the construction of two cottages and the completion of a classroom clock at Marula Secondary School. The school which is located in Ward 11 services both A1 and A2 resettlement farming areas,” he said.
“This entire area did not have a secondary school before. As a result, Grade 7 was the ceiling for most children whose parents could not afford boarding school fees.”
Mr Ngwenya said the school is a community-initiated project, which was initially funded by the International Organisation for Migration (IOM) through its community-based management concept.
IOM purchased building materials that were used to complete one classroom block. The remaining materials were used to construct the second classroom block.
“However, this material was not enough and as the council, we had to assist complete the brick work and roof the block. We channelled $12,5 million towards the project,” said Mr Ngwenya.
He said the local authority used devolution funds to refurnish classroom blocks at Hlanganani Primary School, Matshamhlophe Primary School, Tshitshi Primary School, Mqokolweni Secondary and a science laboratory block at Ivimila Secondary after it was damaged by the rains.
Mr Ngwenya said $3,2 million was allocated for repairing Nguwanyana Primary School after one of its classroom blocks had the roof blown off.
He said devolution funds will also be used to replace damaged furniture.
“Council also came in with devolution funds to assist in constructing Makorokoro Secondary School. It was initiated by the community with most of the funding mobilised through their children based in the diaspora,” said Mr Ngwenya.
“The ward had no secondary schools and learners had to travel long distances. One classroom block was built by the community and the local MP who assisted through Constituency Development Fund.”
Mr Ngwenya said in 2020, the local authority constructed two staff houses using devolution funds.
“We also used devolution funds to assist in constructing a classroom block at Watershed Primary School,” he said.
Mr Ngwenya said council also used devolution funds to partner with the Zimbabwe National Water Authority (Zinwa) to provide reticulated water to 69 medium and low-density stands, 468 high-density, three commercial, and two institutional stands at Ingwizi Growth Point.
Ninety-seven boreholes were rehabilitated throughout the district, while two were drilled at Ingwizi Growth Point, at a cost of $3 million.
Mr Ngwenya said council also repaired Maninji Clinic using devolution funds after the roof was partly blown away by strong winds.
To ensure completion of Makorokoro Clinic, $11,9 million was allocated.
The main structure has since been roofed while plastering and internal fittings are underway.
“We have also rehabilitated Tshitshi clinic, Mambale Clinic, Sanzukwi Clinic and Madabe Clinic. The devolution fund has improved our infrastructure development service delivery and generated employment for locals,” he said.
Online Reporter