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Hwange struggles to complete projects
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Hwange Local Board Town is struggling to complete several development projects outlined in previous strategic plans due to financial constraints, with much of its funding dependent on intergovernmental fiscal allocations that have consistently fallen short.
Town Secretary Ndumiso Mdlalose attributed the delays to insufficient government support. "We have faced challenges in initiating several projects outlined in our strategic plan, primarily due to limited funding. The funds received are often insufficient to either launch or complete these initiatives, making it difficult to achieve our intended goals," he said during the unveiling of the 2025 strategic plan.
The funding shortfall highlights broader concerns over the government's failure to meet the constitutional requirement of allocating no less than five percent of national revenue to provinces and local authorities, as outlined in Section 301(3) of the Constitution. Since the introduction of the Inter-Governmental Funds Transfer in 2019, allocations have ranged between only 0.5 percent and 2.9 percent, far below the mandated threshold.
To address the funding gap, Mdlalose said the council is focusing on enhanced revenue collection strategies and exploring partnerships with private investors. "This year, we have explored several strategies to enhance our revenue collection, with the goal of financing some projects through our own resources. Additionally, we are considering partnerships with potential investors to support the implementation of key initiatives," he said.
Residents have expressed frustration over the slow pace of service delivery, particularly in areas such as water, sanitation, and road maintenance. In response, the council plans to prioritize targeted project implementation to restore public confidence and rebuild trust in local governance.
Mdlalose emphasized accountability across all departments, noting that successful delivery of the strategic plan would require collective effort. "Every department must play an active role in ensuring the successful implementation of our planned projects. Each contribution will be subject to close scrutiny to ensure accountability and results," he said. He added that the Government's performance-based evaluation system for town secretaries and chairpersons underscores the importance of delivering on commitments, warning that failure to do so could carry serious consequences.
The 2025 strategic plan, therefore, represents a concerted effort by Hwange Local Board Town to overcome financial hurdles and ensure that critical development projects are implemented effectively this year.
Town Secretary Ndumiso Mdlalose attributed the delays to insufficient government support. "We have faced challenges in initiating several projects outlined in our strategic plan, primarily due to limited funding. The funds received are often insufficient to either launch or complete these initiatives, making it difficult to achieve our intended goals," he said during the unveiling of the 2025 strategic plan.
The funding shortfall highlights broader concerns over the government's failure to meet the constitutional requirement of allocating no less than five percent of national revenue to provinces and local authorities, as outlined in Section 301(3) of the Constitution. Since the introduction of the Inter-Governmental Funds Transfer in 2019, allocations have ranged between only 0.5 percent and 2.9 percent, far below the mandated threshold.
To address the funding gap, Mdlalose said the council is focusing on enhanced revenue collection strategies and exploring partnerships with private investors. "This year, we have explored several strategies to enhance our revenue collection, with the goal of financing some projects through our own resources. Additionally, we are considering partnerships with potential investors to support the implementation of key initiatives," he said.
Residents have expressed frustration over the slow pace of service delivery, particularly in areas such as water, sanitation, and road maintenance. In response, the council plans to prioritize targeted project implementation to restore public confidence and rebuild trust in local governance.
Mdlalose emphasized accountability across all departments, noting that successful delivery of the strategic plan would require collective effort. "Every department must play an active role in ensuring the successful implementation of our planned projects. Each contribution will be subject to close scrutiny to ensure accountability and results," he said. He added that the Government's performance-based evaluation system for town secretaries and chairpersons underscores the importance of delivering on commitments, warning that failure to do so could carry serious consequences.
The 2025 strategic plan, therefore, represents a concerted effort by Hwange Local Board Town to overcome financial hurdles and ensure that critical development projects are implemented effectively this year.
Source - The Standard
