BEITBRIDGE Municipality has adopted a $11,8 billion annual budget for 2023 which will see rates remain unchanged
Presenting the budget statement on Tuesday, Finance and Staffing Committee chairperson, Councillor Granger Nyoni said the budget was prepared on a cost-recovery basis to provide sustainable, affordable, and efficient services.
“To achieve the aspirations of residents and stakeholders, it requires adequate resources and investment which talks to $11,8 billion (US$13 million) proposed revenue budget for the year 2023,” said Clr Nyoni.
“The budget estimate seeks to address key service delivery issues like water and sanitation, roads, social services and housing, at the same time ensuring sustainable service provision.”
In formulating the budget, council took into consideration its ability to continue offering services on a cost-recovery basis, economic indicators and the liquidity of the local authority.
He said there is need to strengthen the linkage between funding and results, to improve the effectiveness and efficiency of public expenditures.
Clr Nyoni said 36 percent of the revenue will be committed to infrastructure development projects in line with the ongoing US$300 million Beitbridge Border Modernisation project.
“We have taken into consideration the existing macro-economic fundamentals and are also informed by the need to provide service delivery at a cost-recovery basis for exchange transactions and a fair tax for non-exchange services to adequately fund this budget,” he said.
Clr Nyoni said the local authority was anticipating a total income of over $11,762 billion and a total expenditure of $11,74 billion.
He said they would spend $4 billion on capital projects which include infrastructure development on water, sanitation, and hygiene, social services, roads, education, development of Small to medium Enterprises (SMEs), and public lighting.
“The Municipality has also committed funds on the construction of a new water pipeline between Genter and Tower Lane to address perennial water losses along that route, a new primary school, clinic, upgrading sewer reticulation facilities, public lighting at crime red zones, among other things,” said Clr Nyoni.
“We also looked at gender mainstreaming issues in coming up with this budget and the provisions of the National Development Strategy 1 (NDS1). It is our hope that all stakeholders and ratepayers will do their part in honouring bills so that we may be able to deliver people-centred services. If we work together, brick by brick, we will be able to transform our town into a modern city.”
Mrs Flora Gumbo from Ward 5 said it is important for residents to pay their bills for the local authority to be able to meet its obligations.
She said in some instances they had noted that some residents and institutions were not paying their bills on time thereby affecting the councils’ revenue collection capacity.
Mr Macnamara Madubeko of Ward 6, said although the local authority had taken into account the concerns of all stakeholders in coming up with an annual budget, it was critical for the city fathers to walk the talk on implementation. – The Chronicle
