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Walter Mswazie Masvingo Correspondent
BIKITA District is working on completing major projects under its road and water management infrastructure after receiving $3 million from Government under the devolution initiative.

In a telephone interview yesterday, the District Development Coordinator (DDC) Mr Bernard Hadzirambwi said they received the money in two tranches and most of it had already been used on specific projects.

He said focus was on water and the road network and all departmental heads were involved in the projects to ensure they are completed within considerable time lines.

“We received the money in two batches from Treasury which we have used on major capital projects,” said Mr Hadzirambwi.

“We first got $650 000 which we are using on addressing water challenges by drilling and rehabilitating about 20 boreholes in the district.

“The second tranche of $744 000 has been committed to complete the resurfacing of a 2,3km road in Bikita’s Duma residential area”.

Masvingo Province has been allocated $33 million under the devolution programme and within that figure Bikita District got $3,2 million in total.

Mr Hadzirambwi said the district was also working on the construction of a clinic in Ward 3 and indications were that the project would be complete by the beginning of October. “We are also going to use some of the money on the construction of Odzi bridge along Chiremwaremwa road in Ward 3.

The project is underway and expected to be complete in a month’s time from now. We are implementing the projects as and when we receive the money to minimise the chances of it being eroded by inflation,” he said.

He said all the district departmental heads were seized with the devolution programmes and that everyone was working towards achieving given time lines.

“We also expect to open the Duma road to be opened to traffic soon because we have completed the resurfacing project. In our entire project we want to accrue the highest value from them through maintaining transparency and being time conscious.

“Once material has been procured, we do not expect any delay on the projects. Our departmental heads should be aware that we are competing with other districts,” said Mr Hadzirambwi.

Treasury has also allocated Chiredzi $5,6 million, Chivi $3 million, Gutu $3,8 million, Masvingo RDC $ 4,6 million, Mwenezi RDC $3,9 million, Zaka RDC $3,3 million, Masvingo City $893 000 while Chiredzi Town Council was allocated $3 4 000.

In his 2019 national budget statement Finance and Economic Development Minister Professor Mthuli Ncube set aside $310 million for devolution, as per the constitutional provision.

The money constitutes five percent of the budget.