MARTIN MAWAYA
VUNGU-Vungu Rural District Council Chief Executive Officer Alex Magura says the local authority will use it’s first disbursement of ZW$72,7 million devolution funds to complete the Impala Clinic in ward 1, in Tovo area.
Magura told The Midweek Watch that government recently released 5% of the allocated ZW$1,3 billion devolution funds to the local authority.
The funds is part of the 2023 devolution funds allocation from the national budget.
“So far we have received ZW$72.7 million of devolution funds and council will channel the whole amount towards the completion of Impala Clinic project as the money is not enough for all pour our lined up projects,” he said.
Impala Clinic which will have a maternity ward is now over 95% complete and will serve more than 4000 villagers.
Presently villagers are traveling more than 30 km to access health facilities at Madingane Clinic.
Magura added that the delay in the release of devolution funds jeopardizes planning and utilization of funds as the currency is losing value very fast.
“We are heavily affected by the delays of disbursement of devolution funds as it will affect the time frame we would intend to complete our projects,” said Magura.
However, a local government expert and Midlands State University lecturer, Vincent Chakunda said local authorities should speak with one voice to their parent ministry.
He said councils should use Zimbabwe Local Government Association (ZILGA) as a strategic institution for the convergence of ideas from urban and rural local authorities.
“Local authorities really need to look at revitalizing dialogue at both Urban Councils Association of Zimbabwe (UCAZ) and ZILGA to come up with a common position to base their engagement with their parent ministry and Ministry of Finance,” he said.
He added that the success of the engagement lies on comprehensive data collected from local authorities hence timeous disbursement of funds should be a priority for them to quickly execute their duties as per their mandate.
