MIDLANDS Provincial Affairs Minister, Senator Larry Mavima,
has said that public office bearers who frustrate the devolution agenda risk
being fired as Government needs committed personnel to drive economic
transformation.
He was speaking during a tour of devolution projects being
undertaken by Redcliff Municipality on Wednesday. Senator Mavima said
Government will not hesitate to replace corrupt public officials who are
against the smooth implementation of the devolution programme as enunciated by
President Mnangagwa.
“Devolution was introduced to ensure that people get decent
accommodation, access to clean water, strong and efficient economy and growth
of infrastructure in general. There is a need for participation by everyone,” he
said.
“Government will not hesitate to remove from office
elements who are bent on destabilising the project irrespective of office or
name. You will be fired and be replaced by those who are willing to work
according to expectations.”
Sen Mavima said devolution knows no political affiliation
and called on everyone to respect the Government in power.
“Zanu-PF won by a two thirds majority and it was mandated
to come up with a Government and come up with policies, hence the devolution
concept. That, however, does not mean devolution is for the ruling party alone.
When it comes to service delivery, let us put politics aside and let us focus
on the people and how we can uplift the standards of living for our people.
Imagine the President saying Redcliff was won by MDC, which is a fact, so they
are not going to benefit from devolution funds,” he said. The Minister hailed
Redcliff Municipality for working as a team and ensuring that they deliver for
their people. Redcliff has seven MDC councillors as well as a legislator, Mr
Lloyd Mukapiko, from the same party.
“I am impressed with what I saw in Redcliff. You are the
first local authority from those I have toured so far that has used funds to
repair buildings destroyed by the winds. Devolution funds are not for display,
they must be used. I also liked that you are working as a unit as evidenced by
the presence of your local MP,” said Sen Mavima.
He said Government was working on introducing an economist
in every district to assist in evaluation of local resources. Redcliff received
a total of $5,8 million in devolution funds, which came in batches. The local
authority has since used the funds to improve water supply in the area through
the repairs of about 190 water gate valves, which had been worn out. The local
authority also repaired the S Block in Torwood, which had its roof blown off by
violent storms, upgraded its sewer system, repaired burst water pipes,
rehabilitated street lights, purchased refuse skip bins and carried out roads
resurfacing.
Redcliff Town Clerk, Mr Gilson Chakauya, expressed
gratitude to Government for the devolution funds saying they made it possible
for development to take place in the community.
“We are very much grateful to the devolution funds as they
are going a long way in steering development in the community. For example, we
did not receive enough funds from Zinara for road repairs last year, in fact we
only received $40 000 and we used the devolution funds to top up to $752 000,
which was required to patch our roads,” he said.
Mr Chakauya said the local authority needed an additional
$10 million for it to complete its projected projects in 2020. Sen Mavima is on
a tour of devolution projects and has so far toured Chirumhanzu RDC, Shurugwi,
Zvishavane, Mberengwa, Mvuma RDC and Redcliff. Chronicle
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