The Sunday News
Vusumuzi Dube, Online News Editor
BULAWAYO has in the past years received more than $117 million in devolution funds which have seen a number of key infrastructure projects completed in the city.
The Government allocated devolution funds to be shared among the 10 provinces based on a number of factors such as poverty levels in all rural districts, quality of infrastructure and the size of the population.
According to information availed by the Bulawayo Secretary for Provincial Affairs and Devolution, in the Office of the President and Cabinet, Mr Paul Nyoni the Government has disbursed a total of $117,8 million since the fund was established in 2019.
He revealed that in 2019 the Government disbursed $29,3 million, 2020; $50 million while this year to date, $38,5 million has been allocated to the province.
“Some of the projects include the rewinding of two Sulzer Electric Motors for Fernhill Pump Station, which costs ZWL5,4 million, the rehabilitation of Aisleby 1 and 2 Treatment Plants (ZWL3,9 million) and the reconstruction of the collapsed sewer outfall in Matshobana ($3,7 million).
“The fund has also been used for the construction of a 40-metre wide single carriage way and associated drainage structures in Cowdray Park (ZWL14,3 million), installation of soft starters at Inyankuni Pump Station (ZWL2 million), Isolation Unit rehabilitation and kitchen and laundry rehabilitation at Thorngrove Hospital (ZWL140,4 million) and the procurement of Covid-19 protective equipment (ZWL3,5 million),” said Mr Nyoni.
He further revealed that the funds were used for the construction of classroom blocks, caretaker’s house, toilets, septic tank, boundary fencing and supply of some furniture at Vulindlela Primary School in Cowdray Park, to the tune of $114,3 million.
“Phase 1 works in the school construction project is 100 percent complete, which include two classroom blocks, one toilet block and septic tank, staff cottage, fencing and two classroom blocks under construction.
“Phase 2 and 3 are in progress, which is the construction of seven classroom blocks, two Early Childhood Development blocks, administration block, play centre and sports field, cultural village and two blocks of toilets,” said Mr Nyoni.
He said another project that is still to be completed under the fund was the supply and installation of plant and equipment at Aisleby 1 and 2 Treatment Plants.
He, however, revealed that the procurement of the 35 pumps from South Africa had already been done and they were now on site.
In his 2021 budget projection, Finance and Economic Development Minister, Professor Mthuli Ncube allocated $19,5 billion for the devolution funds.
Devolution is enshrined in the 2013 Constitution, but its implementation began in earnest with the coming in of the Second Republic under President Mnangagwa when growing sums were budgeted to top up the funds local authorities raise themselves to fund essential infrastructure in their areas.
According to the National Public Infrastructure Investment Programme for 2021 document crafted by the Finance and Economic Development Ministry, Government provides the framework for building all critical public infrastructure services required for the country’s socio-economic development.
