HARARE will next year allocate some of its devolution funds to create the One Ward One Market (OWOM) project for modern marketplaces to be built in each ward in the province.
This comes as Government had doled out over $1,2 billion on devolution projects in Harare province since 2019, as the Second Republic moves with pace to implement the strategy aimed at developing the country.
Secretary for Provincial Affairs and Devolution for Harare Metropolitan province Mr Tafadzwa Muguti said the OWOM programme is a game changer as each market will house at least 1 000 traders.
Local authorities in and around the capital city have been directed to provide land for the markets.
“Next year, we are embarking on One Ward One Market, where we want to extensively have a market in each ward across the province. We have since told the local authorities to go and allocate land so that there can be a market that can house at least 1 000 people in every ward and that will help us because trading can start happening in a safer and secure environment,” he said.
Mr Muguti said the disbursement of devolution funds is dependent on the amount of money derived from taxes and, as such, these markets will enhance revenue for Government.
“There has been a public outcry that what was budgeted for by local authorities and what they get is not matching. Essentially, what is supposed to happen is that from our consolidated revenues that we collect as tax, 5 percent of that is put aside as devolution funds. That money is supposed to be shared across the 92 local authorities.
“However, people need to understand that this is money collected from taxes, which means formal businesses and formal transactions.
“That’s why, as a province, we have been on a drive to ensure everyone is formalised because that increases the rate at which we are paying our taxes and inflows to Treasury,” said Mr Muguti.
Since 2019, the City of Harare has been given $861 million, Chitungwiza Municipality received $208 million, Ruwa Local Board got $93 million while Epworth Local Board was allocated $89 million from Harare’s $1,2 billion devolution kitty.
Currently, in Harare, there are over 20 projects being implemented on account of the devolution funds.
The notable projects include the rehabilitation of Morton Jaffray Water Works, construction of Mabvuku Clinic, ward-based borehole drilling and motorisation, construction of a state-of-the-art clinic in Damofalls and installation of a solar power back-up system in Epworth.
The rehabilitation of the Kuwadzana sewer line, which is 65 percent complete; the restoration of the Crowborough treatment plant; Unit C sewer line rehabilitation in Chitungwiza, which is 30 percent complete; and the construction of a vendors’ market at Solani in Epworth, which is 70 percent complete, also fall under devolution projects in the capital city.
“Our focus has been on improved solid waste management, with most of the money going there.
“There is also the issue of improved access to potable water, educational facilities for more schools to be built within the province, improved access to market places and public health,” said Mr Muguti. – The Sunday Mail
