Online Reporter
Sukulwenkosi Dube-Matutu, [email protected]
MATOBO Rural District Council has acquired key road construction equipment using devolution funds as the Government continues to fund local authorities to improve service delivery and accelerate infrastructure development.
The local authority has purchased a motorised grader and a tractor loader backhoe (TLB), and has also installed 50 solar-powered street lights to improve public infrastructure across the district.
The development comes as the council intensifies road rehabilitation works ahead of this year’s Independence Day commemorations at Maphisa Town in Matobo District.
Matobo RDC received ZiG14 million in devolution funding this year and has also channelled part of the allocation towards purchasing building materials for two clinics under construction in the district.
The council intends to procure two service delivery vehicles to strengthen its operations.
Speaking during the commissioning of the equipment on Wednesday, Minister of State for Matabeleland Provincial Affairs and Devolution Albert Nguluvhe said the investment marked an important milestone in district development.
“I would like to commend Matobo RDC for its prudent and impactful use of devolution funds. Procurement of essential equipment and infrastructure investment reflects a strong commitment to improved service delivery,” he said.
“With this equipment, the local authority will record significant progress in road rehabilitation. I also want to applaud the council for prioritising street lighting. Lighting is important as it enhances public safety, reducing crime and empowering communities.”
Minister Nguluvhe urged councils to ensure sustainable use of devolution resources and encouraged other districts to emulate Matobo RDC’s approach.
Matobo RDC chief executive officer Elvis Sibanda said the equipment would significantly improve road maintenance capacity and increase access to remote communities.
The district has a total road network of 789,9 kilometres, of which only 78,1 kilometres are surfaced, while the remainder consists of gravel and earth roads.
Mr Sibanda said the district had targeted rehabilitation of 200 kilometres of roads, with 120 kilometres already completed.
“We received a total ZiG14 million under devolution and utilised it towards procurement of road equipment such as a motorised grader, TLB, installation of 50 solar street lights in the CBD area and part of Johanna Mafuyane Township,” he said.
Mr Sibanda said the council had also procured materials for Nhlupho Clinic and Sigangatsha Clinic, while renovation works were underway at council offices.
Mr Sibanda said the council had previously struggled with road maintenance because it relied on a single grader or hired equipment, resulting in delays.
“Having limited equipment has resulted in delays in road maintenance programmes and limited coverage of our road network. As a council, we are fully committed to ensuring that this equipment is utilised efficiently and responsibly,” he said.
The devolution programme is one of the major pillars under the National Development Strategy 2, supporting infrastructure development such as roads, clinics, schools and bridges as Zimbabwe moves towards Vision 2030. — @DubeMatutu.
