Midlands sinks $58m Devolution Funds into water, health

Gweru(New Ziana) – The Midlands Province has so far received $58 million Devolution Funds from central government, and invested the bulk of the money into Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) projects and construction and upgrading of health facilities, a senior official has said.

Midlands Minister of State for Provincial Affairs and Devolution, Senator Larry Mavima said devolution funding had made a significant developmental change in the province.

The projects being implemented include water reticulation in Gweru city, Redcliff Municipality, Runde RDC and Zvishvane Town Council.

Rehabilitation of health facilities include Bell Medical Centre in Redcliff, Garandichauya Infectious Disease Clinic in Kwekwe, Mapfungautsi Clinic in Gokwe Town and Sesame Promise Medical Centre in Gokwe South.
“It is, therefore, imperative that disbursements of the funds be sustained throughout the year and covering all local authorities,” he said.

He expressed satisfaction on how devolution funds have been handled in the province.

Minister Mavima said despite the harsh economic environment, all the local authorities in the province were trying their best to provide various services to the communities such water, sewer reticulation, road maintenance, among others, in their areas of jurisdiction.

He, however, singled out Gweru City Council and Gokwe North RDC as being marred by “bad corporate governance issues” of concern, resulting in poor service delivery.

“We are working with the Ministry of Local Government and Public Works towards resolving the challenges being encountered by the local authorities in question,” he said.

New Ziana