Fungayi Munyoro-Chingaira

CHIPINGE –The Minister of Local Government and Public Works, July Moyo has approved Chipinge Rural District Council (RDC)’s ZWL$5,7 billion budget for 2023.

This was confirmed by the council Chief Executive Officer Blessing Mamvosha. He hailed the Ministry for speedily approving the budget, adding that this would enable the local authority to start programmes and projects right from the beginning of the year.

“Our 2023 budget was approved and we are happy that it was approved on time. The approval process was quite rigorous with senior Ministry officials interrogating us on how we arrived on the figures in the budget,” said Mamvosha.

The budget increased from ZWL$1.1 billion in 2022 and the local authority expects to receive ZWL$868 million from the Devolution Fund and ZWL$344,6 million from ZINARA.

Chipinge RDC Finance Director Rekai Ellias Murire highlighted key projects in the budget which include infrastructure development, purchasing of equipment, road construction and rehabilitation and borehole drilling in various wards.

“Last year we started construction of mothers’ shelter at Junction Gate Clinic, we installed solar street lights at Checheche Growth Point, bought a roller compactor and a trailer. We also have Checheche Poly-Clinic construction which is an ongoing project being carried out in phases,” said Murire

Murire said the local authority has lined up projects for this year which they hope to complete by year end.

The local authority has allocated ZWL$430,7m to education; ZWL$239m to water projects; ZWL$561,9m for roads construction and rehabilitation; ZWL$23m to electricity and equipment is ZWL$731,7m.

Murire also highlighted that the local authority will construct two market stalls at Checheche Growth Point, three boreholes will be drilled at Zamchiya Primary School, Pako Village and Muzamani village.