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| Minister of State for Masvingo Provincial Affairs and Devolution, Ezra Chadzamira |
Wayne Ncube
Treasury
has allocated nearly $2 billion to Masvingo province in devolution funds for
2021 targeting projects being implemented by local authorities which include,
but not limited to, roads, water and sanitation and social infrastructure.
In the
2021 national budget, devolution has been allocated a total of $19.5 billion
which will be distributed to provincial or metropolitan councils and local
authorities in line with the agreed formulas.
Masvingo
province received $1.845 billion from which Chivi District was allocated $212
million up from $29 million in the 2020 national budget.
In a
speech read on his behalf by the deputy minister of Finance and Economic
Development, Clemence Chiduwa, at the occasion of the official commissioning of
the Chombwe piped water scheme by President Mnangagwa in Chivi a fortnight ago,
Finance and Economic Development minister Prof Mthuli Ncube said the devolution
funds were in line with the National Development Strategy 1 (NDS 1).
“The devolution
concept that government adopted in the new 2013 Constitution of Zimbabwe seeks
to devolve power and responsibilities to lower tiers of Government in Zimbabwe.
“In
this regard, beginning in 2019, Government has been allocating 5% of the
revenues towards devolution projects, targeting projects being implemented by
local authorities given that they already had ready structures to ensure
implementation.
“Most
of the projects that have been targeted for implementation include mainly
roads, water and sanitation and social infrastructure among others,” said
Ncube.
He said
he was impressed with the way in which local authorities have been implementing
life changing projects for the people across the country.
“The
Chombwe Piped Water Scheme that we are commissioning today (December 23) is a
clear testimony of how effective the devolution funds can impact and change the
lives of our communities. I am informed that this project was implemented at a
cost of $8 million.
“I must
therefore, comment the Chivi Rural District Council for effectively utilizing
devolution funds and encourage other local authorities to follow suit.
“I am happy
to report that treasury allocated $1.845 billion for Masvingo province in the
2021 National Budget. From this, Chivi District was allocated $212 million up
from $29 million in the 2020 National budget,” said Ncube.
The
revived Chombwe piped water scheme is set to benefit over 10 000 households
with raw water to use for irrigation among other uses in the semi-arid Chivi
area.
“The
revived Chombwe Piped Water Scheme speaks of the NDS as this will catalyze
development in Chivi district and in the process empower our youth and improve
the livelihoods of our communities.
“The
NDS1 priorities interventions towards provision of clean and safe drinking
water to citizens. Government has made a lot of strides towards availing
resources for water and sanitation infrastructure both in urban and rural
areas,” said Ncube.
Minister
of State for Masvingo Provincial Affairs and Devolution Ezra Chadzamira
expressed optimism that the devolution allocation for Masvingo will go a long
way in ensuring that community development is prioritized and no community will
be left behind in line with Vision 2030.
