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Patrick Chitumba Midlands Bureau Chief
ELEVEN urban and rural district councils in the Midlands Province that have failed to acquit road rehabilitation funds from Zimbabwe National Roads Administration (Zinara), thereby depriving motorists a right to a good road network which attract investments for socio-economic development.
Addressing urban and rural district authorities from the Midlands Province during a meeting to discuss roads development in Gweru on Friday, Zinara board chairperson Engineer Michael Madanha said money for roads rehabilitation was available, adding that the problem was that there were no takers.
He said in Midlands Province only Kwekwe City Council and Zibagwe Rural District Council had acquitted for the money they received last year while the rest including Gweru City Council and Zvishavane Town Council had not.
“We have a problem with the entities in Midlands Province who are failing to acquit for funds we disbursed to them last year,” said Eng Madanha. “In Midlands Province Chirumanzu RDC, Gokwe North and South RDC, Gokwe Town, Mberengwa, Tongogara, Runde, Vungu RDCs, Gweru City, Shurugwi and Zvishavane towns have not acquitted what we gave them meaning that they can’t receive any funding until they acquit. Zibagwe RDC, Kwekwe City and Redcliff town have acquitted meaning they are eligible to get more funding for roads rehabilitation.”
As Zinara, Eng Madanha said they refute allegations that there was no money for roads rehabilitation programmes, adding that disbursements are only done subject to acquittal so that there are checks and balances in how the money is used by the entities.
“The rule is you acquit and wait for your next disbursements,” he said. “The rural and urban councils here who haven’t acquitted won’t get any disbursements and they should have acquitted by December last year.
“Now we going to the end of the first quarter and they are still to acquit. I repeat that the money is there for rehabilitation of roads in this province but it has no takers. If you have acquitted come and get your money tomorrow. I urge you all to respect the acquittal process.”
Eng Madanha said in case of problems in relation to acquittals, the entities should approach Zinara for assistance so that roads are rehabilitated for economic growth.
“When you have problems approach us. We have technical teams and consultants who are there to assist you,” he said. “We have also money for engagement of consultants you might need. The money is there.”
Minister of State for Midlands Provincial Affairs Larry Mavima said 80 percent of the urban and rural district councils in the province had failed to acquit a development he said was affecting service delivery.
He ordered the entities that haven’t acquitted to do so hence forth so that road construction doesn’t stop in the province.
“Because of your non acquittal of Zinara funds, the roads in your areas are bad and don’t blame it on the roads authority. You need to go and make sure you acquit as soon as possible for the development of our province and the country at large,” he said.
“You have reasons for not acquitting which to me are not valid. And as managers you must up your game, follow procedures so that service delivery doesn’t stop. Service delivery is important and after TSP we must be able to point to achievements. But at this rate we might fail to point at achievements, meaning you must go back and make sure your things are in order.”
Minister Mavima said Gokwe districts and Mberengwa roads were very poor in the province and were in need of urgent rehabilitation.
Online Reporter