Online Reporter
Sikhumbuzo Moyo
LOCAL authorities must think outside the box and come up with means of raising funds for capital projects instead of waiting for the disbursement of devolution funds.
In an interview at the just-ended Zimbabwe International Trade Fair (ZITF) in Bulawayo, Minister of Local Government and Public Works, Daniel Garwe, said Government was alive to the importance of devolution funds that have brought significant change in infrastructure development in all the 92 local authorities.
“You agree with me that we now have many schools, clinics and bridges being constructed as a result of devolution funds. The challenge we have with our local authorities is that they expect money to be disbursed as a priority to themselves, even though Treasury has many other responsibilities that include unexpected events like the 2023/24 El Nino-induced drought,” he said.
Minister Garwe said Government had to divert some of the resources meant for development towards the procurement of grain.
Devolution funds have not only enabled the completion of critical infrastructure projects but also helped reduce the financial burden on ratepayers.
By covering gaps in essential services like road construction, sanitation and machinery procurement, the funds ensure stable rates and improved living standards.
The devolution initiative aligns with Zimbabwe’s Vision 2030 and the attainment of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly those related to public health, education and access to clean water.
For the 2025 budget, the Ministry of Finance, Economic Development and Investment Promotion set aside ZWG13,6 billion as devolution funding in fulfilment of Section 301, subsection 3 of the Constitution, which stipulates that no less than five percent of the national revenues raised in any financial year must be allocated to the provinces and local authorities.
Social amenities and infrastructure development are some of the major pillars of National Development Strategy 1 (NDS1).
Minister Garwe said while Government has, due to unforeseen circumstances, sometimes had a shift in priorities, it has always released devolution funds to local authorities as part of its constitutional obligation and duty.
“I don’t think there is a local authority that should complain that they never received devolution funds timeously,” said Minister Garwe.
While addressing delegates at the Rural Industrialisation Indaba last week, Permanent Secretary for Presidential Affairs and Devolution in the President’s Office Mr Tafadzwa Muguti said the Public Service Commission had deployed 550 officials who are experts in various fields to all the country’s 10 provinces with the sole aim of ensuring that devolution was fully implemented.
He said Government was not going back on devolution and was very clear that the programme is key to national development.
“I must also highlight that the Public Service Commission (PSC) has deployed 550 employees into all the 10 provinces, this is covering engineers, development planners, administrators, economists and all other necessary skills required in the provinces to ensure that devolution is implemented,” said Eng Muguti.
In July last year Government launched the Zimbabwe Inter-Governmental Fiscal Transfers System Administrative Manual, which seeks to guide local authorities on the use of devolution funds.
