Devolution funds game-changer in Vungu

Kennedy Mutore

GWERU — Vungu Rural District Council has recorded huge successes in building infrastructure, thanks to ZWL$131 million devolution funds availed to it since 2019.
The local authority has channelled funds in road construction, health, education, water and sanitation.
In an interview, Vungu RDC Chief Executive Officer Alex Magura said the projects had come as a game-changer for thousands of villagers.
“We are constructing a new clinic in Ward 1. Work is still ongoing and we expect to complete the work early next year.
“We repaired clinic infrastructure that had been damaged by either wind or termites at Chinamasa Clinic in ward 10, Maboleni Clinic in Ward 6 and Makepesi Clinic in Ward 8,” he said.
Council purchased a mobile clinic van to service areas that do not have static health facilities, thus easing access to health care challenges in their areas.
On water and sanitation, Magura said they have drilled six boreholes in six different wards and procured borehole spares which they used to repair those that had broken down. Council also established a piped water scheme in Ward 1 to serve the new clinic, two schools and the community.
“This has seen villagers travelling shorter distances to access clean and safe water for human beings and their livestock,” he said.
Vungu RDC also constructed two classroom blocks at Nkenyane and Herbert Chitepo Primary Schools in Ward 16.
Magura said they used other sources of funds to repair classroom blocks that had been damaged by wind and storms at several schools across the district.
Schools that have benefited include Dimbamiwa Primary in Ward 3, Shagari Primary in Ward 7, Gambiza Primary in Ward 10, Woodlands Primary in Ward 15, Tapiwa Primary in Ward 15 and Maboleni High School in Ward 6.
The move has improved the availability and quality of education for pupils and the district at large.
Council has purchased a tipper truck and front-end loader to aid in its road construction and rehabilitation in various parts of the district.
Magura said due to various limitations and challenges such as the breaking down of its grader, council has been focusing on the most critical parts of the roads for construction and rehabilitation.
Villagers hailed these developments saying they are going a long way in improving their day to day lives.
“We are grateful to government for unveiling devolution funds which has seen most areas being developed here in Vungu. We however appeal to Vungu Rural District Council to repair our roads as the rain season is around the corner,” said Thembile Khumalo of Lower Gweru.