The Sunday News
Vusumuzi Dube, Online News Editor
THE Bulawayo City Council (BCC) has submitted a list of priority projects that it will embark on in next year’s allocation of devolution funds in line with the Government’s call for local authorities to draw up projects targeted for implementation.
Among the targeted projects are Vundu, Burombo and Sidojiwe flats that have long been condemned as unfit for human habitation. Government had initially allocated Bulawayo Z$4 billion (or US$6,2 million converted at the rate ruling when the 2023 budget was submitted). The figure was reviewed upwards by a further Z$9 billion.
With the allocation for 2024 expected to be higher, the local authority has targeted a number of projects that included the rehabilitation of the condemned flats.
For Vundu, BCC has budgeted US$350 000, US$250 000 for Burombo and US$220 000 for Sidojiwe. The local authority is also looking for US$300 000 for the construction of a new school, Khuzwayo Primary, US$1 million for completion of outstanding works at Barbourfields Stadium, US$500 000 for Luveve Stadium upgrade works and US$560 000 for construction works at Thorngrove Hospital.
According to the list, BCC is also seeking US$3 million for the construction of a clinic in Emganwini, US$100 000 for the purchase of 100 personal computers, US$5,8 million for the reconstruction of Steel works Road (4,5 kilometres), US$473 000 for the reconstruction of Bristol Road North and South, US$350 000 for overlays on Nketa Drive and Masiyephambili Road and US$1,2 million for the purchase of a tipper truck.
Other capital projects targeted by the local authority for next year under the devolution fund include; Ngozi Landfill Maintenance (US$350 000), Masotsha Water Mains renewals (US$400 000), Pumula Water Mains renewals (US$400 000), Cowdray Park Pump Station diversion (US$300 000), Aisleby 3 Catchment Outfall sewers (US$500 000), Aisleby 1 and 2 Wastewater Treatment Works Rehabilitation (US$2 million), rehabilitation Umzingwane Booster Pump Station (US$1,2 million) and US$800 000 for Criterion By-Pass.
In total the local authority is seeking US$33,4 million as next year’s devolution fund allocation, however, the proposed projects could be further reviewed as the city’s councillors have requested that they be allowed to submit their devolution project proposals.
Bulawayo City Council
The Government has since 2019 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.
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.
“Treasury issued the second call circular to guide preparation of the 2024 budgets. The circular is encouraging extensive consultations on the projects to be implemented with the intention to come up with a 2024 Annual Devolution Investment Plan.
“In this plan, on-going projects should be given top priority. The Annual Devolution Investment Plan will require local authorities to submit projects to be implemented in 2024 not later than the 5th of October 2023. The required information must be submitted to the respective desk officers in the Advisory Section,” reads a letter from the ministry.
Speaking at the Zanu-PF’s national people’s conference that was held in Gweru last month, President Mnangagwa reiterated the importance of devolution and decentralisation in the country as key to the continued development of Zimbabwe with a deliberate focus on improving the lives of the ordinary people.
