MATABELELAND North Provincial minister of state Richard Moyo, has not yet moved to his provincial offices in Lupane despite government claims that the facility is now fully operational.
This emerged in Parliament when opposition Hwange East legislator, Joseph Bonda, questioned when government departments would be fully functional at the Lupane provincial headquarters.
Bonda said business operators and citizens in Matabeleland North were frustrated over the government’s failure to fully operationalize provincial capital facilities, forcing them to travel to Bulawayo and Victoria Falls for essential services like liquor licensing.
“For example, the Liquor Licence department is currently operating from Mhlahlandlela in Bulawayo,” Bonda said.
Local Government and Public Works minister, Daniel Garwe, claimed that the Lupane Composite Office had been handed over and that “most of the departments have been allocated and are now at the composite office.”
However, Bonda challenged his response pointing out that even the provincial minister of state has not moved to his official office in Lupane.
“Should we have any challenges in the province we are actually travelling to Bulawayo?” Bonda asked.
“So, when exactly are we going to have those offices starting from the minister of state operating from the province?
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“People coming from the rural areas have got a serious challenge of accessing the offices to renew or to apply for liquor licences, which are actually being done in Bulawayo.”
He expressed concern that the Lupane Welshman Mabhena Complex is fast becoming a “white elephant and derelict” while officials remain in Bulawayo.
Mavunga confirmed that the minister of state has not yet occupied his office or residency in Lupane.
“I would like to let you know that a few modalities are still being worked out,” he said.
“For example, accommodation is still being constructed for these various officials.”
Regarding the Liquor Licensing Department, he confirmed it remains in Bulawayo, attributing the delay to unresolved accommodation issues.
He assured the Parliament that once accommodation is arranged by the Public Works Department, the offices in Lupane will be occupied, ensuring “a devolved service provision for the people in Matabeleland North.”
