MASHONALAND Central province has completed about 115 high-impact developmental projects funded through the devolution programme.
Treasury has shelled out $1,2 billion to fund the development of 172 projects since the onset of the Second Republic.
Minister of State for Mashonaland Central Provincial Affairs and Devolution Monica Mavhunga told The Sunday Mail that Government’s devolution agenda was also facilitating the establishment of people-centred governance systems in the province.
“The devolution agenda is commendable as it has changed the lives of so many people in both urban and rural areas through improvement in access to safe, clean drinking water, through drilling ‘of boreholes at institutions such as schools and clinics, and in communities,” she said.
“Schools and clinics are also being built to accommodate the ever-increasing young population in the province,
thereby easing pressure on existing infrastructure.
“The Chipadze Flea Market is also being constructed in Bindura to provide working space for small and medium enterprises, a sector that is ever-growing and employing the bulk of our people in the province.”
She said the construction of Talington Clinic in Bindura district, Mupfure Clinic in Shamva district, Utete Clinic in Muzarabani district and the Mahuhwe Clinic Waiting Shed had been completed using devolution funds.
In addition, Museka bridge in Guruve has been rehabilitated, while many classroom blocks have been constructed at schools in the province.
The Nyakasikana-Karanda road is also being constructed under the Emergency Road Rehabilitation Programme.
The road provides the shortest route to Karanda Mission Hospital for patients coming from the southern part of the province.
She said the devolution programme was expediting development at local levels.
“The Constitution requires Government to allocate at least 5 percent of the National Budget (inter-governmental transfer funds) to lower tiers of government to support development.
“The inter-governmental fiscal transfer funds will augment the local authorities’ own funds and those coming from development partners to speed up development at local levels as we journey towards the achievement of Vision 2030.”
Added Minister Mavhunga: “Allow me to appreciate the effort being rendered by the Government of the Second Republic in allocating devolution funds to lower tiers of government.
“The inter-governmental fiscal transfers have seen so many projects being implemented across several sectors of the economy such as energy, water and sanitation, transport, health and schools.
“The inflationary pressures and exchange rate volatility we experienced in the previous year affected project implementation in the province.” – Sunday Mail
