The Sunday Mail
The rollout of devolution, or the inter-Governmental fiscal transfer programme, entered its second year in 2020, with authorities prioritising funding of infrastructure projects identified by communities.
During the course of the year, the Government set aside $2,9 billion for disbursement to all 92 local authorities to facilitate the development of health, transport, water and sanitation infrastructure. The Constitution provides for the Government to appropriate at least 5 percent of the National Budget towards devolution.
Priorities
Last year, the Government identified six key pillars of infrastructure development that would underpin devolution with the view of transforming Zimbabwe into an upper middle-income country by 2030.
Projects under health, transport, water and sanitation, public amenities, education and power generation sectors were identified. The advent of Covid-19, however, witnessed part of the $2,9 billion being redirected towards mitigating the pandemic.
Local Government and Public Works Minister July Moyo recently said devolution funds will be directed towards the six key deliverables over the next five years.
“It is a Constitutional requirement that at least 5 percent of the Budget should go towards devolution and we said the first five years, these funds will be used for construction and rehabilitation of infrastructure under the six deliverables. It is now a requirement that when I approve budgets, a certain amount is reserved for construction of infrastructure. I have told every local authority that we cannot approve a budget focused on consumption.”
Progress
Most local authorities performed above expectation in spite of the pandemic. Harare City Council received the biggest slice of the devolution funds after Treasury disbursed $450 million to the capital.
Harare used part of the funds to begin rehabilitating Morton Jaffray Water Treatment Works to help increase potable water supply in Harare. It also rehabilitated water pipes that draw water from Darwendale Dam in order to supplement supplies from Lake Chivero, which has traditionally provided bulk water for the city.
Usable water from Lake Chivero has decreased significantly over the years owing to pollution in the lake.
Bulawayo City Council received $41 million, which was used to rehabilitate Asleby sewer treatment plant, Ncema and Fernhill pump stations. The country’s two biggest cities are saddled with perennial potable water shortages.
Mutare and Gweru City Council received $25 million and $17 million respectively, with the two local authorities also directing their allocations to water and sanitation.
Matobo in Matabeleland South and Binga in Matabeleland North were allocated $11 million and $9 million in that order and used the money to refurbish schools and health facilities. Bikita Rural District Council in Masvingo received $10 million, which has been used for roads and healthcare facilities.
Bindura municipality in Mashonaland Central province received $6 million and it focused on road construction and power generation. Mutoko RDC deployed its funds towards key social services including health, road maintenance and education through purchasing an ambulance, dump trucks and construction of classroom blocks.
In Uzumba Maramba Pfungwe, three science laboratories were constructed at Chitimbe, Maramba and Chitsungo high schools. Mudzi RDC used its allocation to procure a motorised water bowser, dumper truck for road maintenance and a tractor and trailer for refuse collection.
Makonde received special mention from Treasury for diligently using its allocation.
Finance and Economic Development Minister Professor Mthuli Ncube said: “A case in point is the impact of devolution funds in Makonde district, which in 2020 received more than $4,8 million.
“The district has made great strides in the delivery of water, health and education through use of devolution funds. In addition, at least seven wards in the district now have solar-powered boreholes and tanks, while a school is under construction in Ward 18.”
The road ahead
Last year, the Government unveiled its first five-year economic plan — the National Development Strategy 1 (NDS1) — which places devolution and decentralisation at the centre of governance.
Allocations have been increased to $19,5 billion this year, which shows the Government’s resolve to develop communities around the country.
Lower tiers of the Government will be empowered through establishment of viable revenue streams and effective revenue collection mechanisms over the next five years. The Government will, through implementation of the NDS1, address gaps in transport, energy, information communication technology (ICT), agriculture and tourism.
