Devolution funds boost Insiza

Sukulwenkosi Dube-Matutu  Bulawayo Bureau

THE devolution policy has come in handy for Insiza Rural District Council that has constructed and revamped infrastructure from $93million it received from the Government since 2019. 

The local authority has constructed a clinic, rehabilitated 11 schools and a dam and purchased construction vehicles among other projects.

According to a report from council, Bekezela Primary School, which now has two classroom blocks, was built to decongest Filabusi Primary School. Montrose Seven Clinic in Ward 19 which is set to open this year will help to reduce the 45km distance travelled by villagers to access primary health care. The community of Montrose Seven which is a resettlement area have to walk 45 kilometres to reach the nearest clinic.

The council rehabilitated 11 schools in various wards in the district which were damaged by Cyclone Idai. Ngungasi Dam in Ward 11 which is a major source of water for villagers has also been rehabilitated after it was damaged by the cyclone.

Council also completed Mbondo Clinic in Ward 4 using devolution funds. A grader, two tipper trucks and a backhoe loader have also been purchased as council seeks to improve the road network.

Insiza District Development Coordinator, Mr Zachariah Jusah said devolution funds have come in handy for the district to tackle four key thematic areas in the district namely education, machinery and equipment, infrastructure and health.

He said the district received $7 million in 2019, $4,9 million in 2020, $63 million in 2021 and $18 million in 2022.

“The district has recorded significant development as a result of devolution funds. The funds have helped to address key thematic areas of education, machinery and equipment, infrastructure and health. Under education a new school Bekezela Primary School was built to decongest Filabusi Primary School,” he said.

“The school, which now has two classroom blocks, is operating as an annexure of Filabusi Primary School. Devolution funds were also used to rehabilitate 11 schools that were affected by Cyclone Idai. Ngungasi Dam in Ward 11 has also been rehabilitated and now villagers have water for their animals also for livelihood projects such as gardens.”

He said devolution funds have also been used to come up with road designs for Bekezela Road which is a 3,2 kilometre stretch that was going to be tarred.

Mr Jusah said tarring of the road would begin once more funds have been received. He said the community of Tshazi area in Ward 1 was now accessible after construction of a bridge along Tshazi River. Mr Jusah said the bridge has brought relief to villagers, especially school children who were facing challenges to reach their school which is across the river during the rainy season.

“Another significant development in the district is completion of Mbondo Clinic in Ward 4 which is now operational. In Ward 19, which is a resettlement area, a farm house was converted to a clinic known as Montrose Seven Clinic. 

“This clinic will service about 600 households. Water supply works have just been completed at the clinic and we are now awaiting a team from the Ministry of Health and Child Care to visit the project site and give us the go ahead to open the clinic,” he said.

“The necessary equipment is there at the clinic and we expect it to open any time from now as everything is in order. The devolution funds have also assisted in fencing of Denje Clinic in ward 12. All these projects wouldn’t have been possible without Government’s intervention through devolution funds which seek to facilitate development in various communities. The funds have taken us to a milestone.”

Mr Jusah said the road network in the district was expected to improve following the purchase of a grader, two tipper trucks and a backhoe loader. He said the grader was yet to be delivered.

The district development coordinator said the equipment will save council a lot of money which is lost through contracting companies to conduct road works.

Devolution funds are assisting local authorities fulfil their obligation of ensuring improved access to social amenities across the country through development of key infrastructure such as clinics, classroom blocks, roads, bridges among other facilities.

Social amenities and infrastructure development are some of the major pillars of the National Development Strategy (NDS1).