Online Reporter
Patrick Chitumba, [email protected]
RESIDENTS of Runde and Mberengwa Rural District Councils have commended the Government for providing fire tenders through the Devolution Programme and the Belarus facility, considerably enhancing service delivery in their communities.
The initiative is part of the Government’s broader efforts to equip rural district councils with essential resources to improve emergency response services. As a result, two fire tenders and a tractor were recently commissioned, marking a major milestone in strengthening local disaster preparedness and response.
The Belarus facility programme, a partnership between Zimbabwe and Belarus, has played a crucial role in supplying fire tenders and other vital equipment to rural local authorities.
This initiative, spearheaded by the Second Republic, ensures that local authorities receive the necessary support to enhance service delivery. Notably, the councils will be paying for the fire tenders through devolution funds. Under this programme, Mberengwa RDC received a fire tender, while Runde RDC received both a fire tender and a tractor. The new equipment is expected to improve the councils’ ability to respond to emergencies, including fire outbreaks and road traffic accidents.
In the Midlands Province, six out of eight rural district councils have so far benefitted from the programme, with Zibagwe, Chirumhanzu, Tongogara, Vungu, Runde and Mberengwa receiving fire tenders.
This initiative underlines the Government’s commitment to ensuring all local authorities are adequately equipped to handle disasters and emergencies.
Speaking at the commissioning event on Friday, Minister of State for Midlands Provincial Affairs and Devolution, Owen Ncube, reaffirmed the Government’s dedication to improving service delivery.
He urged local authorities to focus on transformative initiatives that positively impact communities.
“As Government, our mandate is to ensure that lives have been uplifted and by so doing, we are committed to that. This is not the first time that we have rolled out such an initiative, we did it in all our rural district councils in the Midlands Province,” said Minister Ncube.
“We want to ensure that developmental programmes have been rolled out. I would like to urge our local authorities to prioritise development.”
Mberengwa RDC chairperson, Councillor Garisikai Moyo, expressed gratitude to the Government for implementing the devolution fund concept, which has significantly improved service delivery in rural communities.
“I would want to thank President Mnangagwa for facilitating this gesture. The devolution funds concept is a game changer to our communities,” he said.
Runde RDC chairperson, Councillor Normore Nyoni, echoed similar sentiments, saying the equipment will go a long way in assisting the local authority in improving service delivery.
