Gweru Mayor Councillor Martin Chivhoko has criticised the central government for failing to release devolution funds, saying the delays are severely affecting service delivery and slowing down key development projects in the city.
Chivhoko said council has been unable to carry out major infrastructure and housing initiatives because the funds promised by government have not been disbursed, while allocations from the Zimbabwe National Road Administration (ZINARA) have also been inconsistent.
He explained that without the funds, the city is struggling to maintain essential services such as roads, water supply and sewer systems.
“The continued failure to release devolution funds is seriously disrupting our development plans,” said Chivhoko. “Several of these funds were meant for critical infrastructure projects that are important for the growth of Gweru.”
Last year, government approved ZWG56,8 million for Gweru City Council, which was equivalent to about US$2,2 million at the time, but the money has not yet been received.
The funds were meant to support various projects, including the rehabilitation of White Waters, the purchase of road and construction equipment such as a grader, excavator and tipper truck, upgrading ICT systems, acquiring a refuse compactor, relocating the Woodlands dumpsite and building new school blocks.
Other planned projects included installing solar-powered street lights and rehabilitating the city’s sewer treatment plant.
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Chivhoko said the absence of these funds has stalled development and urged government to fulfil its financial commitments to local authorities.
He also criticised the Zimbabwe Electricity Transmission and Distribution Company (ZETDC) for charging council commercial electricity tariffs, arguing that this was placing an additional financial burden on the municipality.
“As a public institution that does not operate for profit, being charged commercial rates is unfair and weakens our ability to deliver services,” he said.
The mayor further noted that delays in approving and gazetting Gweru’s master plan were affecting housing development, as council cannot proceed with new residential projects without legal clearance.
He also appealed to Treasury to clear outstanding debts owed by government departments, saying the money could be used to improve service delivery and fund development programmes.
Currently, Gweru City Council is owed more than ZWG860 million by residents, businesses and government entities.
Chivhoko made these remarks during a tour of ongoing infrastructure and housing projects in the city led by Midlands Provincial Affairs and Devolution Minister Owen Ncube.
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