Local authorities seek State support
BINDURA Municipality Town Clerk Mr Shangwa Mavesere has urged Government to ensure that 5 percent of this year’s National Budget goes to local authorities as stipulated in the Constitution.
Speaking during a National Budget consultative meeting organised by the Parliamentary Portfolio Committee on Budget and Finance in Bindura last week, Mr Mavesere said the Budget must also set aside a revolving fund where local authorities can borrow money at minimum rates.
“The National Budget must speak directly to the people. All Government services that go direct to the people are from local authorities. In the Constitution 5 percent of the National Budget must go to local authorities. We last received the money in 2013,” said Mr Mavesere.
“We have an infrastructure deficit in the country. Water treatment plants in the country are not enough, only two or three were added in the past 10 years. There is no town that is able to adequately supply water to its residents because their treatment plants are not able to sustain the population.
“A lot of money is needed for this. In Bindura we need $30 million. If we are to borrow that money from banks they will charge us interest of between 12 and 22 percent, which is exorbitant. My wish is for the Budget to look at the Public Sector Investment Programme (PSIP) and set aside money, which we can borrow at minimum rates.
“The National Budget must also address the issue of public safety, which includes fires and accidents. Urban local authorities are expected to provide ambulances and fire tenders to cater for accidents that happen along the country’s highways. The Government must acquire ambulances and fire tenders for this purpose and allow local authorities to manage them. An ambulance was donated along Masvingo-Beitbridge road stationed at Ngundu; that was a start.”
Mr Weddington Nzvaura added that the Budget must allocate funds towards reconstruction of road and to resuscitate boreholes.
“The roads have outlived their lifespan and needs reconstruction. There are few boreholes in farms but most of them have broken down,” he said.
Ministry of Youth, Sport, Arts and Recreation provincial officer Mr Samuel Mashatise appealed for more funds towards resuscitation of sports infrastructure saying a healthy nation is a happy nation.
Speaking on behalf of the Parliamentary Portfolio Committee on Budget and Finance, Kambuzuma MP Willias Madzimure thanked Bindura residents for their views and encouraged them to attend public hearing so that their expectations shape the decision-making process.