ELEVEN urban and rural district councils in the Midlands
Province have failed to acquit for roads rehabilitation funds from the Zimbabwe
National Roads Administration (Zinara), thereby depriving motorists and
businesses the right to a good road network.
Addressing urban and rural district authorities from the
Midlands during a meeting to discuss road development in Gweru recently, Zinara
board chairperson Engineer Michael Madanha said money for road rehabilitation
was there but the problem was that there were no takers.
He said in the Midlands only Kwekwe City Council and
Zibagwe Rural District Council had acquitted for the money they received last
year while the rest, including Gweru and Zvishavane councils, have not.
“We have a problem with the entities in Midlands Province
that are failing to acquit for funds we disbursed to them last year. In
Midlands Province Chirumanzu RDC, Gokwe North and South RDC, Gokwe town,
Mberengwa, Tongogara, Runde, Vungu RDCs, Gweru, Shurugwi and Zvishavane towns
have not acquitted what we gave them meaning that they can’t receive any
funding until they acquit,” he said. “Zibagwe RDC, Kwekwe City and Redcliff
town have acquitted meaning they are eligible to get more funding for roads
rehabilitation.”
Eng Madanha refuted allegations that there was no money for
roads rehabilitation programmes saying disbursements were only done subject to
acquittal so that there are checks and balances in how the money was used.
“The rule is that you acquit and wait for your next
disbursement. The rural and urban councils here who haven’t acquitted won’t get
any disbursements and they should have acquitted by December last year. Now we
are going to the end of the first quarter and they are still to acquit. I
repeat that the money is there for rehabilitation of roads in this province but
it has no takers.
“If you have acquitted come and get your money tomorrow. I
urge you all to respect the acquittal process,” he said.
Eng Madanha said in case of problems in relation to
acquittals, the entities should approach Zinara for assistance so that roads
are rehabilitated for economic growth.
“When you have problems approach us. We have technical
teams and consultants who are there to assist you. We have also money for
engagement of consultants you might need. The money is there,” he said.
Minister of State for Midlands Provincial Affairs, Larry
Mavima, said 80 percent of the urban and rural district councils in the
province had failed to account and that this was affecting service delivery. He
ordered the entities that have not acquitted to quickly do so.
“Because of your non acquittal of Zinara funds, the roads
in your areas are bad and don’t blame it on the roads authority. You need to go
and make sure you acquit as soon as possible for the development of our
province and the country at large,” he said.
“You have reasons for not acquitting, which to me are not
valid. As managers you must up your game, follow procedures so that service
delivery doesn’t stop.
“Service delivery is important and after TSP (Transitional
Stabilisation Programme) we must be able to point to achievements. But at this
rate we might fail to point at achievements meaning you must go back and make
sure your things are in order.”
Minister Mavima said Gokwe Districts and Mberengwa roads
were in a bad state in need of urgent rehabilitation. Chronicle
0 comments:
Post a Comment