HARARE City Council has hailed Government for approving its $213 billon 2023 budget that seeks to spearhead sustainable service delivery and restore confidence among ratepayers.
The local authority, in a statement, said they were happy that Government approved their budget which also seeks to improve the lives of Harare residents. Council said the budget strives to support water infrastructure through rehabilitation of intake works at Lake Chivero and Darwendale, refurbishment of Morton Jaffray, Prince Edward and Warren Control water works and trunk mains pipe replacement of 6,9 kilometres.
“The budget seeks to improve on sanitation through procurement and disbursement of an additional 15 refuse compactors to the fleet and ancillary equipment,” said council.
“Furthermore, construction of six material recovery centres and three dumpsite transfer stations. We also seek to support infrastructure development through road rehabilitation with a target of 15km and a target of 300km of road maintenance and repairs across the city with focus on arterial roads.
“The city is targeting to refurbish nine polyclinics and upgrade three polyclinics in Highfield, Glen View and Rujeko, to match service provision given by Mabvuku Polyclinic. In our quest for inclusivity the city will procure one mobile clinic to service areas with limited access to health.”
Council said it also seeks to improve socio-economic development through refurbishment of social amenities Rufaro, Gwanzura and Dzivaresekwa stadia, refurbishment of 15 city halls and construction and rehabilitation of 26 markets across the city.
The local authority said it also strives to protect the environment through implementation of the city’s Local Environment Action Plan and to improve the city’s outlook through enforcement of by-laws and bring about order in the city.
“The budget also intends to build on the sustainability of service delivery through requisite procurement of plant and equipment, which enables efficient service delivery,” council said.
“In line with the expectations of the residents of Harare arising from the consultative process, the city did not increase tariffs for water, sewerage, property tax, refuse collection, hospital and clinic user fees. This has been done to ensure affordability, sustainability and access to services for all.
“While council has maintained the 2022 tariffs on user fees, there is however, a marginal increase on other services. “Council in 2022 procured operational assets and funded capital projects to the tune of $3,359 Billion. Over and above the procurement of service delivery assets, we also carried out maintenance work at our various water works and we managed to commission new equipment at Morton Jaffray.” – The Herald
