pr pr May 15, 2023

Devolution spurs key infrastructure projects in Masvingo

Drawing from a ZWL 307 217 707 million purse, City of Masvingo has for the past 4 years implementing life-changing projects that permeate all facets of life as part of the devolution revolution being championed by President Mnangagwa.

The city of Masvingo has a total population of 90 000, according to the 2022 census report, therefore the implemented projects have a direct effect and transformation towards the total population of the city. The City has however made great strides in the socioeconomic sphere because of the devolution programme

Consultations were made with the communities in selecting projects which were later implemented. Among the community driven projects include; Mucheke Trunk Sewer Line upgrading, North West Medical Centre, Rujeko Secondary School, Rujeko Isolation Centre, Garikai and Leopold Takawira Markets, Cambria Landfill, Boreholes.

The ongoing Mucheke Trunk Sewer project which s currently at 75% physical completion was allocated ZWL 118 108 844-65. Once completed, the sewer line is expected to service the whole city and connect the new location Victoria Ranch. On a daily basis, the city records around five sewer blockages, hence sewer blockages will be reduced as a result of upgrading. It will also cater for industrial expansion and reduce pollution of the environment.

Mucheke Trunk Sewer Line project also created employment for locals who were hired as contract workers while local businesses flourished through ripple effects.

In the sphere of Sustainable Development Goal 3 (SDG 3) : Good Health and Well-being , the City of Masvingo successfully constructed North West Medical Centre at a total cost of ZWL 22 243 354-58. The clinic serves a new location Victoria Ranch which has an estimated population of 15 000 and Runyararo suburb with an estimated population of 15 000. The clinic also has a mental health unit which galvanise the fight against drug and substance abuse in the city.

The ongoing Cambria Landfill project which seeks to improve solid waste management is also on course and at 98% physical completion. The Government availed 12 ha for the project to City of Masvingo for the project. The first cell which now at 98% physical completion was constructed at a cost of ZWL 69 915 216. Once completed and commissioned the landfill is going to benefit the whole city with a total population of 90 000 people. It will also mean decommissioning of the dumpsite which is a health risk in Runyararo suburb.               

In addition, the City also successfully completed construction of Garikai Fruits and Vegetable Market and Leopold Takawira Market at a total cost of ZWL 2 992 635-69. Farmers in and around the city (peri-urban) can now sell their produce to the local vendors who buy in bulk for re-sell. About 500 vendors benefitted from the project which was successfully implemented in 2020. The first phase saw construction of 6 Market sheds at both sites. This has however helped in de-congesting the CBD, bringing sanity to the city.

Life-changing initiatives have seen a secondary school being constructed, Rujeko Secondary School at a total cost of ZWL 93 874 665. The first phase has seen construction of 4 blocks for form ones and twos. There are two more blocks currently under construction. The school is expected to benefit the whole city. Current enrollment for the school stands at +/-360 pupils.

The City of Masvingo also managed to equip Rujeko Isolation centre in 2020 at the height of COVID 19 at a cost of ZWL 37 350 -00. The facility served the whole district.

In addition, the funding also saw drilling of  3 boreholes in Ward 3,4 and 10 in 2019, at a total cost of ZWL 387 120-00 as an alternative source of water.