Zvishavane optimistic about 2018

ZVISHAVANE Town Council failed to carry out major capital projects this year mainly due to funding challenges, but it plans to remedy the situation next year.

The local authority’s finance committee chairperson, Councillor Fatuma Phiri, last week said Zvishavane was using internal resources to fund some of its projects.

“For the small projects we completed, council had mobilised internal resources while procuring materials in batches from May this year,” she said.

No major investments, she added, were made during the year, save for a Chinese company - San He Mining Zimbabwe - that wanted to open a chrome smelting plant.

However, in its 2018 budget proposals, the Zvishavane Town Council has proposed $990 000 for capital projects using internal and external funding.

“There is need for all stakeholders to mobilise resources so that we are able to successfully undertake capital projects, which will go a long way in improving the standard of living of Zvishavane and the surrounding community.

“It is important to note that these projects cannot be undertaken by Zvishavane Town Council alone, but require partnering with various stakeholders through PPPs (public private partnerships),” Cllr Phiri said.

Some of the major capital projects targeted for next year include roads rehabilitation, public lighting, crossborder termini, refuse truck and dumper, school, dozer/grader and service stands.

The local authority has high hopes that these targets will be achieved next year.

Cllr Phiri said council was also pinning its hopes on the revival of Shabanie Mine, which is expected to improve revenue inflows to council.

“We are also hoping that Shabanie Mine will resume operations and improve payments to council, while liquidity challenges will be addressed.(We hope) there will be no more three-tier pricing models,” she said.

Cllr Phiri said council was also looking at maintaining its existing staff while maintaining corporate governance practices.

“We also hope that the inflation rate will remain low and that relations with ratepayers will improve, and that they will meet their obligations to pay their bills.

“Ratepayers should embrace the use of plastic money in order to improve revenue collection,” she said.

Zvishavane is owed a staggering $37 million by ratepayers.