Chronicle Editor
Thandeka Moyo-Ndlovu, Senior Health Reporter
A TOTAL of 137 devolution projects are being implemented in Matabeleland region with at least 28 percent of them having been completed as the Second Republic continues with its work to transform the people’s livelihoods in line with Vision 2030.
Since 2019, a total of $52 million has been spent on devolution projects in Bulawayo, Matabeleland North and South provinces.
The devolution agenda operationalised by President Mnangagwa’s administration has assisted previously marginalised areas in realising their full potential in service delivery.
The policy promotes inclusive development, representation, accountability, participatory, inclusive governance and socio-economic development
Devolution was adopted as a key component of the new Constitution of Zimbabwe which promotes democratic participation in Government by all citizens and communities and devolution of power and responsibilities to lower tiers of Government.
Ministers of State for Provincial Affairs have been tasked with championing development programmes in their provinces.
The discharge of that mandate is being closely monitored by the Office of the President and Cabinet.
Zimbabwe is heading in the right direction under the Second Republic as evidenced by the robust implementation of the projects, which demonstrate commitment towards accelerating the uplifting of the people’s living standards.
The infrastructure and utility clusters constitute the highest number of projects, which contribute more to the realisation of the National Development Strategy 1 (NDS1), a policy blueprint spanning 2021 and 2025.
According to a Ministry of Local Government and Public Works report, 50 percent of devolution projects in Bulawayo are complete.
Some of the projects being implemented in the city include installation of soft starters at Inyankuni pump station; supply of vacuum contractors and the sewer outfall rehabilitation project in Matshobana and the rehabilitation of Thorngrove Infectious Diseases Hospital among others.
“We have a total of 137 projects being implemented in Bulawayo, Matabeleland North and Matabeleland South. So far we have completed 38 with Bulawayo having 50 percent of targeted projects complete,” read the report.
Of the 10 projects, five have been since completed with $41 million having been used.
“In Matabeleland North province, implementation of targeted 17 devolution projects stands at 18 percent.
These include the procurement of four tractors, a plough for Bubi Rural District Council while boreholes were drilled and equipped at Bubi Primary School, Bona Clinic, Battlefields and Esiphikeni villages,” read the report.
“Since 2019 to date, devolution funds have also seen the construction of Bona Clinic, Bubi Bus Terminus, Bubi Primary School classroom block and Mkhonto Clinic.”
In Matabeleland South completed projects include the establishment of Mazwa Primary School and construction of classroom blocks at Phakama Primary School, Bayethe Secondary School and Sikhoveni Primary School. Repairs were also done at Impu Primary School and Swazi Clinic.
“There were water meter installations in Gwanda, rehabilitation of dams swept by storms, repairs at Tjehanga Primary School and the purchase of tractors and generators,” read the report.
Permanent Secretary for Bulawayo Provincial Affairs and Devolution, Mr Paul Nyoni said the devolution funds enabled the city council to implement key priority projects.
The projects include the rehabilitation of Thorngrove Infectious Diseases Hospital, construction of schools and the repairing of water and sewer systems.
“Devolution is an intervention by the Government that has helped the city council to implement priority projects that have also created employment. The refurbishment of Thorngrove Infectious Diseases Hospital is a key milestone in Bulawayo. For a city like Bulawayo, you need functional and well equipped healthcare facilities,” he said.
“We have also managed to build more schools for our people to improve access to education. Through devolution funds, we managed to improve our road network and water supply in the city.”
Mr Nyoni said the efforts by the Government are meant to improve livelihoods
Matabeleland North Provincial Affairs and Devolution Minister Richard Moyo said the devolution programme has improved the quality of life for citizens in the province.
“We have seen a great improvement in service delivery in all our districts since we started implementing devolution projects. We had a great challenge in terms of health and educational facilities,” he said.
“We have managed to construct classroom blocks across the province and learners now have access to quality education. In all our seven districts, we managed to construct schools, clinics and the drill boreholes.”
Minister Moyo said devolution projects have also created jobs.
“Our region is quite dry and it was normal to find more than two wards sharing boreholes but through devolution funds, we have witnessed a significant improvement in terms of access to water. Most of our roads were also in a bad state but through the Emergency Road Rehabilitation Programme (ERRP), many are being worked on.” — @thamamoe
Online Reporter