BY CLAYTON MASEKESA
MUTARE – The Mutare City Council has adopted a Z$45 billion 2023 budget that has constant tariff charges and is consistent with the Zimbabwe government’s National Development Strategy One (NDS1) that seeks to drive the country’s economy towards a prosperous and empowered upper middle income society by 2030.
The budget, whose theme is: ‘Accelerating economic transformation through recapitalization, reinventing and renewal of infrastructure, was adopted Friday at a special full council meeting held at Mutare City Council chambers.
The council’s 2023 budget funding will be from council’s own funds, devolution funds, loans and grants.
The Mutare City Council is expected to submit the budget to the Minister of Local Government, July Moyo, before year end for approval.
The meeting was attended by the Mutare City Councilors, Budget Committee members, senior government officials from the Office of President and Cabinet (OPC), Local Government ministry, council management, media and various stakeholders.
In presenting the budget, the chairperson of the Mutare City Council Finance Committee, Zvenyika Misi (Ward 7), said council crafted the budget in tandem with the government’s NDS1 policy.
“Residents have urged council not to increase its tariff for the year 2023. Council has reduced licence fees for the year 2023, and has come up with a proper costing for its sewer, refuse and sewer reticulation services and came up with a sustainable tariff. All other charges remain constant and unlike the previous year, no quarterly adjustments were made,” said Misi.
“As we are aware, in keeping with the medium term plan, the government crafted the National Development Strategy One (NDS1) as a launch pad for vision 2030 (Towards a Prosperous & Empowered Upper Middle Income Society by 2030). Consistent with the same policy, Mutare City council hereby submits it 2023 financial work plan as mainly informed by key pillars of the NDS1 strategy,” said Misi.
“The government pronounced measures to drive growth across all key sectors of the economy. This trajectory thrust dovetails with our development agenda as a city as it focuses on the key areas,” he continued.
Misi said the key areas in the budget will include the strengthening of macroeconomic stability, characterized by low and stable inflation, as well as exchange rate stability.
“The budget seeks to achieve and sustain inclusive and equitable Real Gross Domestic Product (GDP) growth, promoting new enterprise development, employment and job creation and strengthen social infrastructure and social safety nets,” he said.
He added that the budget will ensure sustainable environmental protection and resilience, promote good governance and corporate social investment and to modernize the economy through use of Information Communication Technology (ICT) and digital technology.
Misi said the major highlights of the budget will see construction of Gimboki clinic, Gimboki School and Hobhouse Clinic. The budget will also see the sprucing up of Sakubva swimming pool and Sakubva stadium among other recreational facilities.
The projects budgeted for will include the citywide water augmentation, reduction of non revenue water, sewer infrastructure maintenance, roads upgrade and maintenance, stands servicing and citywide street lighting.
Inclusive of the budget, the council will purchase a Fire Tender, Landfill Dozer, Excavator, Refuse Compactor and water bowsers.
Council will also embark on feasibility studies on Central Business District (CBD) Local Development Plan and the construction of a fuel station.
The budget will also cover major renovations and upgrades on Community Services Department (CSD) offices and the rates hall at Civic Centre.
Following concerns raised by people with disabilities, council is now working on the procurement of necessary material to construct rumps for easy access to council buildings.
The Mutare Mayor, Simon Chabuka said: “For the smooth implementation of our budget, ratepayers should play their part by paying their bills on time and in return council should deliver by offering the valuable residents service delivery.”
Misi heaped praise on the members of the Budget Committee who put a hand on the crafting of the budget.
“This is our second year working with the Budget Committee in crafting of the council budget. The budget committee has helped a lot on information dissemination to our key stakeholders and hence the smooth implementation of our 2022 Budget,” he said.
The work of the committee ranges from drafting budget proposals, consultations until the final budget proposal to be adopted by council.
Council also successfully held consultations with its various stakeholders that include residents associations, business community, informal traders, SMEs, Schools and Creches.
The council also consulted, churches, youths, Junior Council and Council Workers Union, people with disabilities and women groups.
