Story by Tafara Chikumira
DEVOLUTION funds have become a transformative tool for local authorities after the Gweru City Council took delivery of three fire tenders.
The development is part of the central government’s efforts to improve service delivery in urban areas.
The delivery of utility vehicles is expected to reduce the destruction of key infrastructure and save lives at a time when the Gweru City Council has been struggling with aged equipment.
The delivery of fire tenders purchased from Belarus, brings the number of utility vehicles in Gweru to four, after the local authority acquired a fire tender at the beginning of the year.
“We want to thank the government for ensuring that we grow our fleet. This will help us set up some sub-stations in our suburbs. We are going to set up one substation in Mkoba and another one in Senga. This will help for quick response in times of fire breakout,” Gweru City Council Mayor, Mr Martin Chivoko said.
The community is equally excited by the new development which is expected to improve service delivery.
The government has pledged more support for critical services in local authorities.
“Fire Tenders were purchased using devolution funds allocated to Local Authorities. It is a clear affirmation of our leadership to operationalise devolution and decentralisation through fiscal support to sub-national levels.
“The government has increased allocation in the 2024 national budget to promote and accelerate equitable development in our communities in line with His Excellency, the President’s philosophy of leaving no one and no place behind,” said Midlands Minister of State for Provincial Affairs and Devolution, Honorable Owen Ncube.
Meanwhile, Kwekwe District has embarked on a drug and substance abuse elimination campaign which gave various stakeholders a platform to interact with youths and school children.
