GOVERNMENT has blamed local authorities for using devolution funds to pay salaries instead of deploying the resources for infrastructural projects in urban areas.
Transport and Infrastructural Development minister Felix Mhona made the accusations during a parliamentary session last week saying local authorities receive funds from the Devolution Fund and the Road Fund administered by the Zimbabe National Roads Administration (Zinara) and use the resources for other programmes.
“Local authorities receive funds meant for road rehabilitation and as legislators we should oversee that the money is used for intended projects. Most of the time the funds are misused as some councils may use it to pay salaries or buy vehicles,” he said.
Mhona said his ministry had been working on the rehabilitation of major roads and was currently working with rural district councils.
“We have funds through Zinara for us to address issues. When full councils sit, let us encourage the use of these funds,” he said.
The Local Government and Public Works ministry was recently accused by the Bulawayo City Council of diverting devolution funds to purchasing fire tenders instead of funding more critical areas like water challenges.
This was after ministry secretary, Zvinechimwe Churu wrote to all councils advising them that the government was acquiring fire tenders on their behalf at a cost of US$464 296 each.
“The utilisation of devolution funds to procure fire tenders was against the council resolution of July 3. The matter was considered and councillor Edwin Ndlovu felt that further engagements be done with the parent ministry,” he said.
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Council said it required more plant equipment rather than fire tenders.
“The resolution was to purchase plant equipment using the devolution funds. He (deputy mayor Mlandu Ncube) did not support the purchasing of fire tenders. Residents should be informed accordingly," read the council minutes then.
