By Senzeni Ncube and Lubalethu Ndlovu
Minister of State for Matabeleland North Province Richard Moyo has revealed that the relocation of the provincial offices to the provincial capital, Lupane, will commence next month.
The Minister and the Provincial Administrator Lathiso Dlamini`s offices are still located at Mhlahlandlela Government Complex in Bulawayo a situation that is seen as affecting development in the province.
In an interview with CITE, Minister Moyo confirmed the departments are set to move to their provincial Capital.
“We will relocate in February as all is set, the delay has been due to shortage of water and electricity, so any time soon we are moving,” he said.
“Other departments such as the Registry department and Information department have already moved there. My house and those of other heads of department are now complete.”
Minister Moyo said the delay in the movement of offices to the Provincial Capital is affecting development in Matabeleland.
“The delay in the movement of government offices has affected development in Matabeleland as some are based in Binga, Tsholotsho and others will not be having money to travel this side for meetings. Some structures are not yet done due to shortage of funds,” he said.
In addition, Matabeleland North Provincial Administrator, Lathiso Dlamini confirmed the move saying other departments will only relocate when required.
“Very few departments have since moved to Lupane, mainly Registrar offices and even the Minister himself and ZINWA due to infrastructure issues. Other departments will relocate as and when there is a requirement,” said Dlamini.
Meanwhile, Minister Moyo said construction of major roads is set to start soon.
The Matabeleland North province has a 2 950-kilometer road network with 1 405 kilometers tarred, 1 278 kilometers with gravel, and 265 kilometers as earth roads.
“They started delivering quarry, as of yesterday from Davis Granite and before the end of this week or early next week construction will resume,” said the Minister.
“The roads under construction are the Bulawayo – Nkayi road, Bulawayo- Tsholotsho and a strip of the Victoria Falls- Gwayi road,”.
He added that 20 kilometers will be constructed on each road incorporating the 10 kilometers that were supposed to be constructed last year and another 10 kilometres under this year`s target.
“10 kilometers were supposed to be constructed for the Bulawayo – Nkayi road, Bulawayo- Tsholotsho and a strip of the Victoria Falls- Gwayi road but we have also incorporated this year’s 10 kilometers which makes it 20 kilometers on each road,” said the Min Moyo.
The Minister of State said this is a positive development for the Province as it will ease transportation challenges.
“This development will help the province as travelling will be easy for villagers who use buses,” he told CITE.
He added that it has took long for the roads to be constructed due to financial challenges.
“The project took too long to commence due to financial problems and because the company which was given the tender to provide quarry was from Harare so we have stopped working with the company and engaged a local one Davis Granite,” he said.
