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BINGA Rural District Council has embarked on various capital projects after receiving part of the $26 million devolution funds from the Government.
Binga RDC chief executive officer Mr Joshua Muzamba said they have so far received $6 million.
The money has been channelled towards rehabilitating roads at Lusulu Business Centre, water and sewer reticulation at Binga Centre and the construction of clinics and classroom blocks in several parts of the district.
ome of the funds were used to roof classroom blocks at 13 schools, after their roofs had been blown away by strong winds.
A new classroom block was built at Chibondo in Manjolo Ward.
The council bought furniture and other consumables for Chipale Clinic in Sinamagonde Ward.
Said Mr Muzamba: “We are also in the process of building two houses for teachers at the same school. We have also built a clinic wing at Malaliya Clinic and erected a perimeter fence and constructed two nurses’ houses. We will do water reticulation and operationalise the clinic in May.”
Water and sewer reticulation was also done at Binga Centre’s Govera high density suburb. Mr Muzamba said a road was rehabilitated at Lusulu Business Centre, including other service centres such as Lusulu, Mlibizi, Siabuwa and Manjolo.
“We also did road rehabilitation and created a new road network at Lusulu Business Centre,” he said.
The road linking Binga Centre and Siabuwa Road has been rendered inaccessible after Chininga Bridge in the Nsungwale area was extensively damaged by floods, which were preceded by heavy rains in the district last month. Mr Muzamba said they were appealing to the Government to upgrade it since the local authority only does feeder roads.
However, for the economic movement of goods and services, they need trunk roads to be established.
The council has budgeted $62 million for 2020, but the district is lagging behind especially in social infrastructure such as schools and clinics. Mr Muzamba said the remaining $20 million under the devolution grant will go towards construction of more schools and clinics.
“We will also do water reticulation for Manjolo because we anticipate it to grow especially when Binga Centre is turned into a local board as we are moving in that direction. So, we have to provide water services for commercial purposes. We are therefore working on ensuring that we have the required infrastructure like water and sewer reticulation,” he said.
It is expected that in two years’ time, Binga Centre would have been turned into a local board. A sound refuse collection system, an adequate water and reticulation system, should also be in place by then. The 2012 census shows that Binga Centre has a population of 10 000 people, with 18 health institutions in the district’s 25 wards.
Mr Muzamba expressed concern over human wildlife conflict, which he attributed to the growing populations.
Human settlements are encroaching into formerly designated wildlife areas, resulting in elephants, hippos and buffaloes straying onto the fields of surrounding communities.
There is also an increase in attacks by crocodiles, especially on the fishermen. Reaction teams from council assisted by Zimparks and Forestry Commission, have since been put in place.
Online Reporter