Byo residents reject increased budget

Zim Now Writer

Residents of Zimbabwe’s second largest city, Bulawayo, have rejected council’s proposed increased budget for 2023, forcing the local authority to maintain the US$158 million – the same as this year's budget.

Isaac Matare from Bulawayo City Council (BCC)’s finance department said on Monday that they had decided to stick to last year’s budget after residents said they cannot afford any more rates increases.

Council has however warned the ratepayers that they will get the same poor service delivery if there are no rates increases in the 2023 budget.

The budget meeting at the Large City Hall only attracted a handful of people.

“The approved budget for 2022 was US$158 million. The proposed budget for 2023 remains at US$158 million and the proposed tariffs increase in United States dollars is zero percent. For those who will be paying council in local currency, the tariffs will be determined by the US$ to ZWL$ rate at the given time,” said Matare, warning that the proposed budget will have a huge impact on service delivery.

“We have listened to our stakeholders to maintain the same budget as last year’s, but a standstill budget will mean reduced service provision, high probability of a supplementary budget, increased debt recovery measures, high staff turnover, delayed achievements of the smart city concept, and continued rebasing.”

He added that the council intended to spend US$106 064 573 on computer equipment, computer software, furniture and fittings, infrastructure assets, buildings, motor vehicles, office equipment, plant and machinery, and other assets to ensure it improves some of its functions.

A resident who identified himself only as Ndlovu raised concerns over some of the city’s decaying infrastructure, especially council’s failure to maintain the Centenary Park and ensure the streets remained clean while other residents urged BCC to improve its waste collection.

All the residents in attendance gave a nod to the proposed budget.