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Runesu Gwidi Masvingo Correspondent
Government has showed its readiness to end poverty and underdevelopment in rural parts of Chiredzi by allocating the local authority the biggest slice of funding from the $31 million war chest released to Masvingo Province under the devolution programme.

Chiredzi is arguably the least developed area in the province with low number of schools and other facilities such as health services centres and also poor roads among other challenges.

Provincial Administrator Mr Fungai Mbetsa yesterday said Government factored in issues such as poverty levels and population size in determining allocation of devolution funds.

He said Chiredzi Rural District Council got the biggest chunk of $3,2 million under devolution. Mwenezi RDC was second after getting slightly over $3 million.

Allocations for the other local authorities were as follows: Bikita ($2,8 million, Gutu ($2,8 million), Zaka ($2,9 million), Masvingo ($2,7 million) and Chivi ($2,8 million).

Mr Mbetsa, said a further $9 million from the devolution funds was yet to be operationalised by the Masvingo Provincial Council.

“It is our high expectation that the money (devolution funds) would be vital for both the improvement of livelihoods and service delivery by local authorities,” he said.

“Considerations were made by the Government in its allocation of the devolution money to the various districts. Critical issues like population indexes, infrastructural development and poverty levels were some of the key benchmarks factored in.”

He expressed optimism the allocations would be put to good use and will go a long way in engendering socio-economic development in the rural districts.

He said the provincial council was also expected to soon start mapping the way forward in terms of implementation of development projects.

Masvingo has already hit the ground running in fully utilising its natural resources to grow its provincial Gross Domestic Product for the benefit of the province’s people in line with the devolution programme which has gained currency under the Second Republic led by President Mnangagwa.