…Beneficiaries struggle to access funds as projects lie idle
Emmanuel Chitsika
Devolution funding adopted by the Central government of Zimbabwe to ensure national development through allocation of approved budgets to lower tiers of government has always sounded a noble idea if the approach is holistically implemented.
However, the disbursement of the funds from State to local authorities’ coffers has and continues to be the major obstacle affecting the possible success of the programme.
So many projects earmarked under the funding are bearing the brunt of lack of proper mechanisms that should allow smooth flow of the funds with some already started while others are yet to kick start.
Masvingo City Council has some of its critical projects supposed to be funded by Devolution funds seemingly progressing at a slower pace with missing of completion deadlines becoming a key feature.
The legacy Mucheke Trunk Sewer that started over a decade ago is one of those key projects suffering from late disbursement of funds and so is the new landfill at Cambria Farm being another major highlight for the City Fathers.
During last full council meeting on August 1, the local authority made revelations that of the total ZW$ 253 million, Masvingo city had received only ZW$ 50 million.
Masvingo City’s acting Finance Director Danister Jori confirmed the issue though he pointed out that after a series of meetings with the Ministry of Finance and Economic Development, they were promised to get another batch of ZW$ 120 million this year.
However, it is the directive by the Treasury Chiefs to councils to revisit their priority areas and adjust that point to the conclusion that no full payments would be made for the year 2022.
Contacted to clarify government’s position on the late disbursements, Masvingo Secretary for Provincial Affairs and Devolution Dr Jefta Sakupwanya referred questions to the Economic Development Director for Masvingo Clever Chingwara who said the ministry of Finance and Economic Development could be in a better position to respond since they are in charge of the national.
He said the Ministry of Local Government and Public Works could be another port of call to seek comment since in case of challenges, local authorities may seek redress through parent ministry.
“Concerning that issue, the funds go directly from ministry of finance to local authorities, so the former might have more details pertaining to that. Ideally, the local authorities submit their reports to the Provincial Secretary, but when it comes to when the funds are disbursed, the treasury is responsible.
“What we may have are the reports of projects undertaken and progress from local authorities. The issues are channelled through the ministry of local government because our office was shifted to the Office of President and Cabinet (OPC). We are not privy to the reasons behind the ‘delays’ though we have heard of such delays and thus ministry of finance have the proper answer while the Chief Executive Officers (CEOs) may provide details on how the delays may affect their works,” said Chingwara.
A survey carried out by this publication at most local authorities revealed that there was limited activity in terms of progress on devolution funded projects as delayed disbursement of funds stall works with some contracted companies shelving operations due delayed payment of their dues.
Some councils have on a number of occasions deferred projects for a given year to the next because of lack of funds while at times they revert to internal funds to fund the projects.
The development is also seeing most local authorities only engaging in low cost projects since most of them are now relying on the funds rather than internal funds.
