adminLeonard Ncube
PEOPLE from Matabeleland North Province have implored Government to allocate enough funds for capital projects in the province in the 2016 budget so as to fight hunger and steer development.
Speaking at a 2016 pre-budget consultation meeting at Chinotimba Hall on Thursday, participants drawn from residents of Victoria Falls and some from across the province said Matabeleland North had in the past been marginalised in terms of budget allocation hence it is under-developed.
The elderly dominated the proceedings as the consultations clashed with an International Day for Older Persons event at the same venue. Minister of State for Matabeleland North Cde Cain Mathema said it was high time the fiscus allocated enough funds for different projects that are either lying idle or unfinished in the province.
He called for commitment towards completion of Lupane Provincial Hospital in the provincial capital, completion of Lupane State University, Bubi-Lupane Dam, the civic centre in Lupane and different road networks across the province.
“Each district has a number of projects that have not been completed because of lack of funding. In Lupane there are a lot of projects that are outstanding such as the Tsholotsho-Lupane-Nkayi-Kwekwe Road, Tsholotsho-Gwayi and Khami dams, Bulawayo-Nkayi-Gokwe Road, Cross Dete-Binga-Siabuwa Road, Gwayi Shangani Dam among others,” said Minister Mathema.
He challenged the Ministry of Finance to source funding to dualise the Bulawayo-Victoria Falls highway which he said was now a death trap because it is narrow.
Umguza district administrator Mrs Enetty Sithole said the food security aspect of Zim-Asset in the province will only be realised when Government allocates enough resources to infrastructural development.
“Matabeleland region is drought prone and to rescue this situation the Government should allocate enough money for construction of dams and irrigations schemes which are crucial in fighting drought. We have no dams for irrigation and consumption in the province and people share water sources with animals. Next year’s budget should allocate funds for water sources,” she said.
Chief Shana of Jambezi said there was a bias towards trunk roads while rural roads were being neglected in the fiscus.
“Zinara is biased towards major roads neglecting rural roads which are in a bad state. This has resulted in transport problems in rural areas as vehicle owners shun such roads,” he said.
Participants also suggested the need for creation of a soil conservation fund saying soil erosion as a result of climate change was silting water bodies. Older Persons Board director for Matabeleland North Mr Public Nkomo said the budget should fund the Ministry of Public Service, Labour and Social Welfare and prioritise issues of the elderly.
Mutoko South legislator Cde David Chapfika, who is chairing the Budget, Finance and Economic Development committee (southern region), said their findings were diverse.
“Contributions we are getting are on people’s welfare, water and sanitation and infrastructure development. Dams are silted especially in Tsholotsho and the general picture so far is that with resources permitting, the budget should consider infrastructure development,” he said.
derick.khumalo
Online Reporter