Chronicle Editor
Thupeyo Muleya, Beitbridge Bureau
A NEW clinic in Tshabili area built through devolution funds and resources mobilised through a partnership involving the Beitbridge Rural District Council (BBRDC) and the International Organization for Migration (IOM) has opened doors to service close to 5000 people.
The project which started in 2003 has been progressing at a snail’s pace due to resource constraints.
Work has since been completed following the intervention of the IOM and Government through the devolution initiative.
The Zimbabwe National Army (ZNA) was also roped in to construct the main structures, while communities provided other materials including bricks.
Two more clinics at Mazunga (Ward 14) and Dumba (Ward 15) funded through devolution and the Constituency Development Fund will open doors to the public before the end of next month.
The local authority received $17 million in devolution funds in the last three years.
BBRDC chief executive officer, Mr Peter Moyo said the clinics are part of major infrastructure development initiatives they have implemented under the devolution concept in the last two years.
“We have completed the construction of the Tshabili Clinic with the support of the central government, the communities, and other partners including the International Organisation for Migration (IOM),” said Mr Moyo.
“We opened the doors to the public on October 18 following approval by our technical team and the Ministry of Health and Child Care. At the moment, we are preparing for its official opening event. At Dumba in Ward 15 we are now working on final touches and our target is to have it operating at the end of December”.
Mr Moyo said the local authority intends to use more devolution funds to build more schools and clinics among other key infrastructure.
He said at Mazunga Clinic, they were working on modifications recommended by the Ministry of Health and Child Care.
He said they were looking forward to opening the facility to the community as soon as they get the required approval.
“We have been carrying out a number of infrastructure development projects with the help of devolution funds. In some cases, we are working together with the communities in mobilising material resources and labour to ensure that the money is fully utilised to complete the projects as planned,” said Mr Moyo.
The rural council, he said, had used part of the devolution funds to spruce up Shashe Clinic, repair roofs at Chabeta Primary School, and other key infrastructure that was affected by climate-related disasters.
He said they had completed building two classroom blocks at Nhovhe Primary School in Beitbridge West, which has started enrolling children at the Early Childhood Development (ECD) level.
“We expected to build at least one more clinic in each ward to reduce the distance people are travelling to access the nearest facility.
In some areas, villagers have to travel for more than 20km to seek medical attention,” said Mr Moyo.
He said they had also started identifying more sites to build new secondary schools across the district.
“We have identified a site at Tshabili, Ward 2 and another project is underway in Langeni, Ward 5 as we accelerate the construction of secondary schools,” said Mr Moyo. @tupeyo
Online Reporter