Chronicle Editor
Vincent Gono recently in Masvingo
ACHIEVING equitable development across the country’s communities has been at the fore of the Second Republic’s thrust since its inception and the devolution programme has been the fit-for-purpose vehicle for the attainment of the “leaving no-one and no pace behind” development philosophy.
In the seven districts of Masvingo Province, devolution — a programme provided for in Section 264 of the country’s Constitution has been instrumental in empowering local authorities to spearhead economic and social development projects by leveraging on local resources without the influence of the Central Government.
The programme has eased lives by bringing services to the communities’ doorsteps and closing development gaps in marginalised areas.
In an interview recently, Permanent Secretary for Provincial Affairs and Devolution in Masvingo, Dr Addmore Pazvakavambwa described the devolution programme as a development masterstroke.
He said the operationalisation of devolution was a revolutionary idea aimed at empowering local communities by giving them the power to make decisions that directly affected their lives adding that it had transformed the communities’ social statuses and eased people’s lives.
“With devolution, the people of our province have begun to experience radical transformation. The province has become a hub of innovation, progress and prosperity. The communities (wards to village levels) are bustling with activity and development.
“Roads are being repaired, schools are being built and healthcare facilities are being improved. The people now have a say in how their resources are utilised and they make sure that their needs are prioritised because they are consulted and input into the projects that speak to their needs,” he said.
Dr Pazvakavambwa noted that the devolution initiative has created employment opportunities for youths and women while promoting social cohesion within the province’s communities.
He said a number of high-impact projects have been completed in Bikita District, including the drilling and equipping of 36 boreholes, 40 boreholes repaired, road surfacing, construction of schools and clinics and provision of furniture and equipment.
Among the completed projects in Bikita, Dr Pazvakavambwa mentioned 2,3km of road that was surfaced in Nyika Growth Point’s Duma Residential area, construction of Odzi Clinic main building and a classroom block at Mupakwa
Primary School
Budzi Clinic was also constructed together with nurses’ houses and fitted with water reticulation, waste zone and fencing while Mupamaonde Clinic was also completed with nurses’ houses and fencing. The two clinics were furnished together with Shumbaimwe, Budzi and Chibvure.
A double classroom block was rehabilitated at Tafara Primary and another at Musiya Primary while the district witnessed the completion of the first block at Tamuka Secondary School.
He said the district took delivery of a Tipper and TLB as part of its capacity building for future construction works.
Another local authority, Chiredzi RDC, has moved milestones in development with a number of projects having been completed so far.
The council has completed various projects including the construction of clinics, schools and roads, as well as the drilling and casing of 42 boreholes while 48 boreholes were repaired across the district. The council has also acquired drilling machines, backhoe loaders and generators.
Dr Pazvakavambwa said the town of Chiredzi had been facing challenges in terms of water supply and sewer reticulation but through devolution funds, it was able to purchase a 500kva step-down transformer to utilise electricity from Hippo Valley. The council also upgraded sections of the sewer network system to match the growing population and installed eight solar-powered tower lights.
He said the town has enjoyed the benefit of a good sewerage network designed for a population not exceeding 15 000 people, however, with the rapid growth of the town the sewer network system is now inadequate and undersized causing a lot of sewer bursts and overflows, posing a health threat to the community.
“The town has therefore managed to upgrade at least three kilometres of undersized sewer pipes each year in the most affected areas with plans to upgrade an additional 13km to match the existing population,” he said.
Some of the completed projects in Chiredzi include Gudo Clinic block and staff house, which have since been commissioned, Rusununguko Clinic block and two staff houses including a water supply project at the clinic.
A block was also completed at Gwaseche Clinic together with a waste management system while Rufaro market stall was fenced.
Chilonga irrigation scheme, which has been the community’s life-giving artery as far as the provision of food is concerned was resuscitated and is now functional while the council rehabilitated Chambuta Road, regravelling 10km and grading another 15 km making it trafficable.
Several school blocks and teachers’ houses were completed too including but not limited to one Bhanyamulenge Secondary School in Ward 32, Chitezana Primary School in Ward 22, Mutapurwa Primary School in Ward Two, Dikitiki Primary School in Ward One and Chitsa Primary School in Ward Five.
In Gutu RDC, the district used the funds to procure road-making equipment, collaborate with the community to create employment opportunities, impart skills to locals, promote social cohesion and purchase materials.
The district used the greater chunk of its devolution disbursements on improving health facilities followed by education where schools were either constructed from scratch or rehabilitated. Water and sanitation as well as electrification of public institutions and road rehabilitation were also part of the district’s focus and priority areas with the devolution funds.
Masvingo RDC has also completed numerous projects, including the construction of clinics, schools and roads. The district has also drilled and fitted boreholes with water reticulation systems for clinics and communities.
Notable projects in Masvingo District according to Dr Pazvakavambwa include the completion of the main clinic block at Murinye Clinic, waiting mothers’ shelter at Chatikobo Clinic, Bere Clinic maternity ward, solar-powered water supply at Zishumbe Clinic, Guwa and Musvovi Business Centre piped water schemes, Cheshanga irrigation rehabilitation, Njovo wetland protection and the rehabilitation of Mukonde dip tank as well as several community garden projects that were set.
In Mwenezi he said they have started constructing schools, clinics and roads from scratch in resettlement areas courtesy of the fiscal disbursements under the devolution programme.
He said the district was prioritising community-initiated health and education infrastructure development to cover the gaps that existed since the bigger part of the district had new settlements.
“Since the inception of the devolution programme, we have implemented an encouraging number of infrastructure projects some of which are already complete. Petronella Clinic in Ward Six is one of the projects that we are proud of.
It’s a state-of-the-art clinic. We also have other projects under devolution such as Muvuyu Primary School, Valley Primary School, Shangarumwe Primary School, Nyangambe Primary School and Mufula Secondary School. While some are already complete, we expect to complete those that are not yet complete in the shortest possible time,” he said.
In Chivi District, the Chombwe piped water scheme was commissioned bringing joy to the thirsty communities, in one of Masvingo Province’s driest districts. Bwanya Clinic was also completed and commissioned while a block was constructed at Mazhaugwe Clinic. A staff house and classroom block were constructed at Rubweruchena School and another at Madyangove Primary School. Five boreholes were drilled while 25 others were rehabilitated to lessen the burden of water shortages faced mainly by women and the girl-child.
In Zaka District, Veza Registry offices were completed while five classroom blocks and two semi-detached staff houses were constructed at Gumbire Primary School. A classroom block was also done at Muroyi Primary School and a mothers’ shelter at Chinyabako Clinic was completed courtesy of the devolution funds.
Council also purchased a grader, front-end loader a tipper truck and a refuse truck with the Permanent Secretary saying they were happy with the developments that have been achieved so far. He urged transparency and consultation, which brings communities together as key decision-makers as basic ingredients in the provision of equitable development.
He thanked the Second Republic for implementing the devolution saying it was the only sure way of transforming lives in the country’s communities that leaves no-one and no place behind.
Bongani Ndlovu