Samuel Kadungure
News Editor
RUSAPE Town Council has deployed ZiG19 million in devolution and ZINARA funds, transforming a coterie of critical needs into delivered projects expected to dramatically improve service delivery in the town.
The 11 projects were commissioned on Monday by Minister of State for Manicaland Provincial Affairs and Devolution, Advocate Misheck Mugadza.
The council acquired an assortment of equipment and infrastructure, including a backhoe loader, roller compactor, three trucks, a refuse compactor, seven skip bins, water meters, street lights, water pipes, and water-testing equipment.
The projects also include a town master plan and initiatives aimed at reducing non-revenue water.
The equipment and infrastructure are expected to strengthen the council’s capacity to deliver essential services to residents.
Minister Mugadza said the investment demonstrated the impact of the Government’s devolution policy in strengthening local authorities’ capacity to provide basic services.
“Guided by the principle, ‘Nyika inovakwa nevene vayo’, the service delivery equipment and projects being commissioned demonstrate the practical value of this approach, and Rusape Town Council’s contribution to improving the provision of basic services for its people. These investments address essential service delivery needs, including reliable water supply, water quality testing, effective sewage systems, improved public lighting, better roads, refuse collection and orderly urban planning,” he said, adding that additional support from ZINARA enabled the council to acquire a motorised tractor-loader-backhoe and a service vehicle, while council resources were directed towards strengthening refuse collection and meeting other operational needs.
Rusape Town Secretary, Mr Solomon Gabaza, told stakeholders and residents about the projects implemented using devolution, ZINARA, and council own funds.
“As council, we received and utilised ZiG19 185 540,43 under Devolution Funds. I am pleased to report that all projects earmarked have been delivered. Under this fund, we procured and installed 300 brass water meters for Wards Two and Three, a heavy duty submersible pump and high lift pump, and water tasting kits to ensure water quality. In Ward One, we installed 100 sewer pipes. We installed 200 solar street lights in Wards Two, Four and 10 and repaired tower light components in Wards Five and Six. For service delivery mobility and roads, we procured two Nissan Navara single cabs, a motorised roller compactor, and a new refuse truck. Our master plan has been completed at a cost of ZiG1 676 759. Under ZINARA funding, we procured a brand new motorised TLB valued at ZiG2 565 000 and a brand new Nissan Navara valued at ZiG 961 200, both covering all wards for road construction and maintenance. From council’s own funding amounting to ZiG2 061 636, 92, we procured seven skip bins now in use in Wards Two, Nine and 10, and 50 solar street lights installed in Wards Two, Four and 10. We have also committed resources for servicing of Riversdale stands in Ward Nine, including cement, culvert pipes, quarry stones, river sand and fuel, as well as culvert pipes for drain construction in Ward Four. This is devolution at work. We remain committed to transparent, visible and all-encompassing service delivery for the people of Rusape,” said Mr Gabaza.
Residents welcomed the investment, expressing hope that the new machinery would address longstanding shortages. They noted that the refuse truck would ease waste management challenges.
Rusape Town Council chairperson, Councillor Lovemore Chifomboti, said the local authority is working to improve performance after receiving a low rating in the Government’s urban local authorities’ service delivery assessment.
“This is the second time to commission such equipment by Minister Mugadza. The Second Republic led by President Dr Emmerson Mnangagwa is very serious about service delivery. We are only implementing the Government’s directives. The devolution funds are helping us a lot. We bought this equipment, including pumps. We were rated very lowly in terms of service delivery by the Government; hence our efforts to improve service delivery,” he said.
Member of the Parliamentary Portfolio Committee on Local Government, Public Works and National Housing, Honourable Albert Nyakuedzwa, said the investment came after council received ZiG19 million from the Government, with ZINARA also providing funding.
“Our role is to provide oversight. Council acquired this equipment after receiving ZiG19 million from Government, with ZINARA also providing funding. The equipment is intended to improve service delivery, and council must ensure that it is fully utilised. Government has intervened, and the local authority must now use the equipment effectively, while ensuring that water meters are installed to enable ratepayers to pay their water bills,” he said.
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