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Freedom Mupanedemo

Midlands Bureau

Devolution funds are changing the face of Chirumhanzu community in terms of development with the completion of Hwata Clinic in Ward 6 a current example along with 16 boreholes, and repairs to a critical bridge.

When Chirumhanzu Rural District Council opened the new clinic, with its two staff houses so it is properly manned, local villagers described the development as a huge relief.

We have been travelling long distance of about 12km to the nearest health facility,’ said Mrs Locadia Maweni of Ward 6.

Under the Government’s devolution agenda, a slice of the budget for capital development is handed over to local authorities.

The reasoning is that the local communities have definite priorities and know their area far better than a public servant sitting in Harare. Thus empowered councils can start filling the development gaps efficiently.

The money has to be spent on the capital budget, not on running costs such as salaries and fuel. Councils have to follow normal Government tender systems and the accounts are audited.

Chirumanzu Rural District Council chief executive Mr Lovemore Chatikobo said the council used part of the $11 million received from Government to improve health service delivery, provide clean water and roads rehabilitation.

Apart from the construction of the clinic, the funds were used to drill 16 new boreholes to make sure more communities had easy access to potable water.

We also rehabilitated Nyamatikiti Bridge along the Chaka-Charandura road which connects communities in northern parts of the district to Charandura Growth point which houses the main GMB depot in the district and St Theresa Mission Hospital, he said.

Mr Chatikobo said health and education facilities have been top on the development list as the RDC was still lagging behind in such critical services

“We have so far spent $2 million in the construction of Hwata Clinic in Ward 6 which will be servicing about 5 000 households. The project is 100 percent complete with the construction of the main clinic block already done. Two staff houses are also complete. It has been furnished, plumbing done and fully equipped,” he said.

Mr Chatikobo said the RDC is also working on the construction of another clinic, Musena Clinic in Ward 19, which was now half finished.

Musena Clinic is one of our devolution projects goals for 2021. So far, we have spent $1,5 million for the construction of this clinic and staff quarters. We are hoping to complete this project next year in January,” he said.

Mr Chatikobo said a third clinic, Chimbindi Clinic in Ward 19 was 65 percent complete. We have a number of clinics which are at different stages of construction. Other clinics being constructed by and we hope to complete them as we continue to receive funds,” he said.

On education, Mr Chatikobo said the RDC is constructing a classroom block at Hillview Primary school in Ward 23 in order to improve rural children’s access to education.

The block at Hillview, Mr Chatikobo said, was now at wall plate level.

“We also have Fairdear Primary School in Ward 11 where there is construction of a classroom block taking place,” he said.

Mr Chatikobo said water provision remained a key development enabler for Chirumhanzu adding that so far, $2 million has been injected in the drilling and rehabilitation of 16 boreholes across the district.

“Another 11 boreholes were drilled by the council using our own resources.

“The other boreholes are using devolution funds budget. We prioritised all the wards and have so far drilled and rehabilitated 16 boreholes. However, we are not stopping. We will continue to provide water closer to the people. We are grateful to the Government devolution programme because we are able to bring tangible results to the people,” said Mr Chatikobo.

Mrs Sithembile Ncube from Ward 25 said they used to travel more than 60km to and from Mvuma to access health services.

“The construction of Chapwanya Clinic is a welcome development as the devolution agenda is bringing us health services right to our doorsteps.

“Who would have thought that we will have our own clinic. We commend the Government and the council for this project. Now we are praying they come and fix the roads,” she said.

Mr Charles Masenda said they were grateful for the primary school that is being constructed in Ward 11 saying their children were no longer going to travel long distances to and from school.

“So far we are happy with progress taking place across the district in terms of development driven by the devolution agenda. Everyday there is a project taking place and we commend the Government for availing the funds and making our dreams come true,” he said.