admin
Fungai Lupande Mash Central Bureau
MASHONALAND Central is set to receive $3, 8 billion under the devolution and decentralisation agenda, an impetus to accelerate implementation of projects that leave no one and no place behind.
All the rural district councils and urban councils in the province are implementing projects in schools’ development, health care, road rehabilitation, water and sanitation using devolution funds.
Devolution funds have sped up completion of these projects which were taking many years before.
In Rushinga, the devolution agenda has received tremendous support from the community who voluntarily contribute money towards some of the projects in a show of solidarity.
Rushinga Rural District Council (RDC) chief executive officer, Mr Kudakwashe Jonasi, acknowledged that they had made a lot of strides in uplifting living standards of people through devolution funds.
He said they consult the community first on projects to prioritise and health services always top the list.
Mr Jonasi added that the community contributed about US$3 800 towards Marymount Clinic which was constructed through a Build, Operate and Transfer agreement with a partner.
“This was their contribution at a local level and they brought the money ,” he said.
“We used part of the money to furnish the clinic and the community witnessed utilisation of their funds. We chipped in with devolution funds to ensure the clinic is ready for handover to the Ministry of Health and Child Care.”
Rushinga RDC received $9, 723 000 devolution funds in 2020, $36 702 000 last year and $9 million so far this year.
Mr Jonasi said they managed to do a lot using the money in the education, health and home affairs sectors.
“At Nyamanyanya Secondary, Nyamazizi Primary and Marymount Secondary Schools, we constructed classroom blocks and equipped them with furniture,” he said.
“At Chitepo Primary School we constructed a staff house. The staff at Ganganyama health post was accommodated in a cabin and using devolution funds we constructed a staff house.
“At Mazowe Bridge Secondary School we managed to construct two classroom blocks together with a partner, furnish and supply books. Council constructed a F14 housing using devolution funds and facilitated payment of labour.”
The construction of Semwe Dam set to benefit Rushinga and Mt Darwin has affected Maname Secondary School which was within the dam plan.
The school was relocated away from the dam and the local authority is constructing a F14 house for teachers at the new site.
In Guruve, devolution funds have improved access to quality education, health care and potable water.
Guruve Rural District Council chief executive officer, Mr Tinos Marisa, said devolution funds have transformed the district into a smart, clean urban centre with an accessible road network.
“Through devolution funds we are constructing new schools, upgrading existing ones and improving the quality of education,” said Mr Marisa.
“Our children had no access to science subjects due to lack of science laboratories and equipment. We started with Chifamba High School last year, equipping their science laboratory using devolution funds.
“This year our target is to establish more science laboratories for Matsviti and Mamini Secondary Schools which are only offering Arts and Commercial subjects at Advanced Level.”
Guruve RDC received $42,7 million devolution funds last year and this year they have already received $20 million.
Mr Marisa said the Government should increase disbursements of devolution funds so that they can transform every corner of Guruve.
“We are expecting more funds and this year we were allocated a total of $496 million,” he said.
“Prior to devolution funds, we were constructing schools but it was taking us years to complete one school using villagers’ contributions.
“Devolution has given us back our pride as council workers. We managed to complete Vira Gezi Secondary School established many years ago by the late national hero, Cde Border Gezi, in ward 24.”
Online Reporter