GOVERNMENT has secured a $20 million loan facility from its Chinese development partner, Ofid for construction of classrooms and staff houses in satellite schools set up in new resettlement areas.
BY VENERANDA LANGA
Finance minister Patrick Chinamasa brought the loan agreement to Parliament for ratification last Thursday, but opposition MPs demanded transparency in the disbursement of the funds.
He said the government was targeting construction of 12 primary schools, five secondary schools and standard teachers’ houses in rural and newly- resettled areas of Manicaland, Mashonaland Central, Mashonaland East, Mashonaland West, Masvingo, Matabeleland North, Matabeleland South and Midlands Provinces.
But Binga South legislator, Joel Gabbuza warned $22m was too much, as it created an impression that each rural school would cost $2m.
“Given the gravity of the problem in the Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education in terms of rural schools, I want to suggest that in the scope of works in the implementation of the programme, we should just do the basic two classroom blocks and two standard houses, which will cost about $100 000,” he said.
“In that process, if we spend $100 000 per primary school with two blocks and two standard teachers’ houses, then we could build about 20 primary schools in each province, which I think will go a long way.”
Gabbuza said there was a tendency of inflating prices, adding a standard teacher’s house would cost $25 000 and a standard classroom block would not cost more than $30 000.
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But Chinamasa said the project was earmarked to commence next year in three phases over a four-year period.
He said the total cost of the project was $22m with Ofid contributing a loan of $20m and the government putting in $2m.
“The loan facility has tenure of 20 years, with five years grace period and will attract an interest of 1,5% and a service charge of 1%. The loan will be repaid by the government of Zimbabwe from the Consolidated Revenue Fund,” Chinamasa said.
Kuwadzana East MP, Nelson Chamisa said there was need for an enabling Act to guarantee loan agreements assented to, adding Chinamasa should also be in the habit of seeking Parliament authority first before assenting to loan agreements, as the country was already heavily indebted.
Goromonzi West MP, Biata Nyamupinga said when construction commences, Chinamasa should ensure the facilities are user friendly for girls and children living with disabilities.
