Devolution has started bearing fruit, with the implementation of an assortment of projects, from dams, roads and clinics to schools and police bases, among others, transforming the countryside.
Development projects have been rolled out countrywide as provinces use $2,93 billion set aside for devolution in the 2020 National Budget.
To drive the projects, the Government will set up provincial councils before the end of the year following the recent gazetting of the Constitutional Amendment Bill which spells out their functions.
Dams, roads, classroom blocks, clinics, boreholes and police bases are some of the priority projects that have been completed or are still being worked on in some parts of the country, transforming the lives of the ordinary folk.
The setting up of provincial and metropolitan councils — consisting of a chairperson, mayor or the chairperson of a local authority and 10 persons elected by a system of proportional representation during the 2018 elections – will ensure efficient coordination and monitoring of developmental projects.
The Constitutional Amendment Bill is expected to go through Parliament during the first quarter of the year, Justice, Legal and Parliamentary Affairs Minister Ziyambi Ziyambi said.
Government has also moved in to fill vacancies of key posts of provincial and district development coordinators who will be responsible for monitoring projects in their respective areas.
Acting Secretary for Local Government and Public Works, Mr Christopher Shumba, said: “The Public Service Commission is seized with the matter. Adverts for these posts were flighted late last year and I am sure these posts will be filled soon.”
“We are happy with what is happening on the ground. Initially, some local authorities were sceptical about the devolution programme. Trainings were done and everyone is now speaking the same language. Some local authorities were failing to fully maximise the allocated money, while some thought the money would be diverted to other projects.
“Money is only released for budgeted projects and we expect wide consultations from all stakeholders before coming up with budgets that are forwarded to head office for approval. Our major targets are infrastructure development as well as water and sanitation projects.”
Buoyed by the timeous release of funds, provinces have moved in earnest to ensure the implementation of projects under their jurisdiction.
Harare Metropolitan provincial development coordinator, Mrs Catherine Kampila, said each local authority had received two batches of funds under devolution funds.
“Although I do not have the actual figures of the money disbursed so far since I am out of the office, all local authorities have received two disbursements so far. Most of the money was used for water and sanitation projects. Ruwa Town Board also used their allocation to buy a refuse truck as well as install robots.
“Other local authorities like Harare, Chitungwiza and Epworth were also involved in water and sanitation projects. A number of boreholes were also drilled in different parts of the province using this money. We are still to receive any disbursements for 2020,” she said.
