News / National
'No government funding, equipment for Hwange'
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The government has acknowledged its failure to fully deliver devolution funds and essential equipment to Hwange Rural District Council (RDC) and other local authorities, a matter raised in the National Assembly this week.
Local Government and Public Works Deputy Minister Benjamin Kabikira told parliament that Hwange RDC only received a single fire tender truck in December 2024, despite purchases made between 2018 and 2023.
Kabikira was responding to Hwange East legislator Joseph Bonda, who sought clarity on the delivery status of firefighting trucks procured from Belarus intended for Hwange RDC.
"My request to the Minister for Local Government and Public Works is to inform the House when the ministry will deliver to Hwange RDC the fire fighter trucks which were bought in Belarus between 2018 and 2023?" Bonda asked during the parliamentary session.
In response, Kabikira confirmed that Hwange RDC had only been delivered one fire tender truck on December 12, 2024.
Bonda further referred to a government circular issued between 2018 and 2023 that indicated Hwange RDC was also to receive a tipper truck and a front-end loader in lieu of devolution funds.
"Maybe for expatiation purposes, if he could elaborate on the other two combinations of the same acquisition that were supposed to be delivered," Bonda requested.
Deputy Minister Kabikira admitted the government had fallen short but pledged commitment to fulfilling these obligations.
"We are unable to do that at this moment, although we intend to ensure that we do as we had promised. In the past, you would observe that in 2022, 2023 and even 2024, devolution funds have not been fully disbursed. I wish that once we get the funds, their entirety, we will disburse them," he said.
Hwange RDC continues to face a critical shortage of firefighting equipment and other essential machinery, prompting calls for the government to urgently bolster its fleet to better respond to emergencies in the region.
The ongoing delay has raised concerns about the council's capacity to effectively manage fire-related risks and maintain infrastructure development within the district.
Local Government and Public Works Deputy Minister Benjamin Kabikira told parliament that Hwange RDC only received a single fire tender truck in December 2024, despite purchases made between 2018 and 2023.
Kabikira was responding to Hwange East legislator Joseph Bonda, who sought clarity on the delivery status of firefighting trucks procured from Belarus intended for Hwange RDC.
"My request to the Minister for Local Government and Public Works is to inform the House when the ministry will deliver to Hwange RDC the fire fighter trucks which were bought in Belarus between 2018 and 2023?" Bonda asked during the parliamentary session.
In response, Kabikira confirmed that Hwange RDC had only been delivered one fire tender truck on December 12, 2024.
"Maybe for expatiation purposes, if he could elaborate on the other two combinations of the same acquisition that were supposed to be delivered," Bonda requested.
Deputy Minister Kabikira admitted the government had fallen short but pledged commitment to fulfilling these obligations.
"We are unable to do that at this moment, although we intend to ensure that we do as we had promised. In the past, you would observe that in 2022, 2023 and even 2024, devolution funds have not been fully disbursed. I wish that once we get the funds, their entirety, we will disburse them," he said.
Hwange RDC continues to face a critical shortage of firefighting equipment and other essential machinery, prompting calls for the government to urgently bolster its fleet to better respond to emergencies in the region.
The ongoing delay has raised concerns about the council's capacity to effectively manage fire-related risks and maintain infrastructure development within the district.
Source - NewsDay
