The Sunday News
Sharon Chimenya, Masvingo Correspondent
MORE than $148 million has been disbursed to five local authorities in Masvingo under the Government Devolution Funds programme, it has been revealed.
The province was allocated more than $1,8 billion from Treasury in the 2021 National budget under devolution funds. Five local authorities Bikita Rural District Council, Gutu, Masvingo City Council, Mwenezi and Zaka have received their devolution funds.
Masvingo Provincial Development Coordinator Dr Jefta Sakupwanya said councils should always consult the people on the projects to undertake under the devolution fund.
“Five local authorities have received their first trunk of the devolution funds. Bikita received $29 million, Gutu $30,2 million, Masvingo City $42 million, Mwenezi $32 million and Zaka $15,4 million. The utilisation percent for Bikita is 37 percent, Gutu eight percent, Masvingo City 40 percent, Mwenezi 45 percent, and Zaka 24 percent,” he said.
Dr Sakupwanya said there were allocation teams within councils and councillors should bring projects from their communities and together with the team, work on the projects to be implemented. He said one of the major projects that is being undertaken in the province is the Mucheke Trunk Sewer by the Masvingo City Council.
Last year, President Mnangagwa commissioned the Chombwe Irrigation Scheme in Chivi which was one of the major projects undertaken through the use of the devolution funds. The resuscitation of the $8 million worth Chombwe Piped Water Scheme project brought relief to more than 100 000 people in the area.
Meanwhile, the province received $178 million towards road rehabilitation from the Zimbabwe National Road Administration from January to date. The Department of Roads in Masvingo was allocated $19,3 million, District Development Fund $103,2 million, Masvingo City Council $22,5 million, Chiredzi Urban Council $8,4 million.
Zaka RDC was allocated $429 000, Mwenezi RDC $5,3 million, Masvingo RDC $4,3 million, Gutu RDC $3,7 million, Chivi RDC $3,4 million, Chiredzi RDC $2,8 million and Bikita RDC got $4,7 million.
