CHENGETAI MURIMWA IN HWANGE
The Hwange Local Board is utilizing devolution funds and is implementing community development projects.
The local board has constructed a classroom block and installed a standby water supply facility after getting ZWL$1.1m from the devolution fund.
The government this year set aside ZWL$2.9bn for local authorities. Disbursements have been affected by the Covid-19 pandemic and Treasury has so far released about ZWL$300m.
Hwange town secretary Ndumiso Mdlalose told Business Times the funds were used towards construction of an Early Childhood Development (ECD) classrooms block at Nechibondo Primary School.
It also installed a standby water supply facility, constructed an incinerator as well as erected a perimeter fence at its Empumalanga Clinic.
Mdlalose said construction of the ECD block will go a long way in averting hot seating at the school which was prevalent due to a shortage in classrooms.
“The infrastructure is tailor made for the young leaners including the ablution facilities. In actually fact it’s a modern learning facility,” he said, adding more funding was needed for the upgrading of Empumalanga sewer plant which has been non-functioning for over a decade.
“We also need funding for another big
ger project-the sewer infrastructure upgrading. We might need about ZWL$10m. A growing town requires more efficient water and sewer reticulation. So, the sewer upgrading will go a long way in addressing that,” he said.
The local authority received about ZWL$3m last year under the Devolution Fund. This year, it was allocated ZWL$3.2m but has since taken delivery of ZWL$1.1m.
