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Sukulwenkosi Dube-Matutu, [email protected]
THE Government will complete a total of 43 legacy projects that are currently underway in Matabeleland South Province ahead of this year’s Independence Day Celebrations with ZiG$14 million having been allocated to Matobo District, the host of the festivities.
The projects are a testament of the Second Republic’s commitment to leaving “no one and no place behind” in terms of development.
Presenting a devolution and decentralisation thematic committee report during a Matabeleland South Provincial Development Committee meeting, Matabeleland South’s Acting Director of Local Government Mr Zachariah Jusah said the target is to have 43 devolution projects completed under legacy projects. He said the targeted projects include construction of schools, clinics, bridges and roads.
“Local authorities have devolution projects which they started in 2019. Under the 46th Independence celebrations that will be taking place at Maphisa we have lobbied for 43 projects which are at 70 percent and above and need about US$2,3 million so that we complete them. We have identified them as quick wins hence we are pushing for their completion. Matobo has been allocated ZWG$14 million,” he said.
The province has a total of 188 projects that have been initiated and 64 have been completed using devolution funds as well as contributions from local authorities.
“We have 50 clinics, 55 health sector projects, 35 in infrastructure which include roads and bridges and sewer, 36 in the WASH sector and about 12 in the tourism sector. The outstanding projects are at different stages because of inconsistent funds from 2023,” he said.
Mr Jusah said the development which comes with hosting the Independence Day Celebrations is an ideal opportunity for some of the outstanding projects to be completed. He said some of the projects are now at 70 percent completion.
Local authorities have gone further to facilitate completion of devolution projects using their own funds as part of efforts to improve service delivery.
Mahetshe Secondary on the outskirts of Maphisa Town has been identified as the music gala venue for the Independence Day celebrations. A 700-seater hall and four more classroom blocks will be constructed. An Advanced Level block, computer laboratory, staff toilets, two science laboratories, administration block, teacher’s cottages and staff toilets will also be constructed.
Other projects that will be implemented include construction of the Gwanda-Maphisa Road which is underway. Construction of the road will enhance connectivity and economic activity in the region. The Gwanda-Maphisa Road connects several districts and links vital economic centres, including Arda Antelope, the Makwe Irrigation Scheme, two border posts, and various tourist sites in Matobo.
Other works that will be carried out by local authorities and Government Ministries and agencies include rehabilitation of the 2 600km road network throughout the province. Rehabilitation and completion of Kezi Hospital will also be done and the hospital will also be equipped to enable effective service delivery.
The 2nd Republic’s Devolution Agenda catalysed a transformative shift, decentralising these events and instituting a rotational format across the ten provinces, commencing in 2021.
The rotation of provinces hosting Independence Day and Children’s Party Celebrations has seen Harare (2021), Bulawayo (2022), Mashonaland Central (2023), Manicaland (2024), and Midlands (2025) hosting in the last five years.
The goal is to use these events to drive infrastructure growth and spotlighting development in the targeted provinces.
Mr Jusah further said that as part of efforts to improve on service delivery several benchmarks have been set which each local authority has to meet. Local authorities will be expected to improve citizen engagement and participation in governance issues.
He said local authorities should also improve on transparent accountability in service delivery and this will be assessed from village and ward level adding that they will be assessed on whether resources are reaching grassroots level. He said meeting these targets is crucial in the attainment of Vision 2030.
“As a province we have assessed the current status of service delivery and we have come up with a provincial average and from that provincial average we come with strategies of building up each year with a target of attaining 100 percent. We must have certain achievements that will be done by each local authority to ensure that the people realise the necessary development towards Vision 2030.
“Our average in terms of each local authority meeting minimum service delivery requirements in terms of health and education is at 73 percent. Our target is to move the province from 73 percent to at least 90,64 by 2030. Per year we have targets that we aim to attain as we move to our target for 2030,” he said. —@DubeMatutu
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