The Sunday Mail
Andrew Muvishi
Mashonaland East Correspondent
GOVERNMENT has given Mashonaland East urban and rural councils $6,4 billion for devolution, as it walks the talk on facilitating economic development across the country.
President Mnangagwa has placed devolution at the centre of his development agenda.
Speaking at a meeting with Mashonaland East Minister of State for Provincial Affairs Apollonia Munzverengwi, Provincial director for Economic Development, Mr Gilbert Dzvuke, said the money was allocated to all councils in Mashonaland East.
He gave a breakdown of the allocations.
“Goromonzi Rural District Council will get the lion’s share of the allocation of $869 million. Marondera Municipality is set to receive $328 million,” said Mr Dzvuke.
“Manyame RDC $563 million, Mudzi RDC $739 million, Mutoko RDC $738 million, Murehwa RDC $833 million, Hwedza RDC $525 million, Uzumba-Maramba-Pungwe RDC $668 million, Chikomba RDC $630 million and Marondera RDC $578 million.”
He challenged local authorities to play their role in aiding the country’s economic revival and realisation of President Mnangagwa’s Vision 2030 of making Zimbabwe an upper middle-income economy.
“It has been noted that 90 percent of councils are now mainly relying on devolution funds, but I would like to reiterate the need for you to be innovative and generate more income to complement Government efforts.
“Government wants to see the devolution agenda succeeding, and as local authorities you have a big role to play.
“The devolution funds that you will receive from Treasury this year should be channeled towards flagship programmes that help in the improvement of service delivery and people’s lives,” he said.
