Govt approves all but 4 council budgets

Local Government and Public Works Minister July Moyo

Zim Now Writer

Government has approved budgets for 92 local authorities while rejecting four for different reasons, a statement from Local Government and Public Works Minister July Moyo says.

Those with budgets that were rejected are Murehwa RDC, Karoi Town Council, Binga RDC and Lupane Town Board.

Murehwa RDC has been asked to meet Local Government and Public Works Permanent Secretary Zvinechimwe Churu to have a relook at their budget.

The ministry has sent a team to Karoi Town Council to assist in the proper crafting and adoption of the budget by council.

On the other hand, Binga RDC and Lupane Town Board have been asked to explain their budgets, which do not seem “achievable because of the level of tariffs”, according to Local Government and Public Works Minister July Moyo.

“All budget tariffs have been captured in both US$ and ZWL to allow councils to track the exchange rate movement in line with S1 185 of 2020 over the whole year. Most councils proposed standstill budgets except for a few who have made increases. Some of the increases were occasioned by a relook of council’s revenue sources, which have expanded because of following Rural District Councils Act, Urban Councils Act or their by-laws.”

The minister also said that all councils were directed to produce by-laws by January 31, in order to support their budgets.

“This will ensure proper provision of quality services to their residents. Of the services that are provided by local authorities, water seems to cause problems except in such cities as Mutare,” he said, adding that the Manicaland provincial capital has adopted the Local Authorities Digital Systems, in a joint project with the Harare Institute of Technology.

Moyo said the focus in doing the budgets was on the need to follow statutes and to simplify the process “that allows both the elected and staff of councils to explain the budgets to their ratepayers throughout the year.

“Councils have been urged to explain in detail their projects they undertook in 2022 and provided pictures of projects accomplished. The moneys of projects have mainly come from devolution funds while some councils have done very well by using own funds to compliment government,” said Moyo in the statement.