Rutendo Nyeve, [email protected]
THE Parliamentary Portfolio Committee on Budget, Finance and Investment Promotion commenced its nationwide 2027 National Budget consultations in Victoria Falls on Monday, with residents demanding significant funding for the rehabilitation of the Bulawayo-Victoria Falls Highway, social sectors and the human-wildlife conflict relief fund.
The public consultations are a critical constitutional mandate designed to ensure citizen participation in the national resource allocation process.
The engagements provide a platform for ordinary Zimbabweans to influence the Budget Statement, which will be presented by the Minister of Finance, Economic Development and Investment
Promotion later this year, ensuring that the national purse reflects the actual needs of the people.
Speaking during the meeting, residents emphasised that the dilapidated state of the Bulawayo-Victoria Falls Highway is a major impediment to economic growth, especially with the resort city set to host the ICC Cricket World Cup in 2027.
They argued that the road is not only a tourism artery but a crucial link for regional trade.
“The condition of the Bulawayo-Victoria Falls Road is a national embarrassment,” said Mr. Themba
Ncube, a local resident.
“With the ICC Cricket World Cup coming to Victoria Falls in 2027, we cannot afford to have visitors travelling on a death trap. The Treasury must allocate significant funds for its rehabilitation to boost tourism and facilitate smooth regional trade.”
Beyond infrastructure, residents called for the diversification of the Victoria Falls economy. They noted that while tourism is the backbone of the city, the local economy must industrialise to create year-round employment.
“We need to move beyond just relying on the Zambezi River for rafting or the Falls for viewing
“The budget must support industries that take advantage of the readily available tourism market
and the river water. We need manufacturing and processing plants here so that the economy does not collapse when the tourism season is low,” said Ms Sibongile Mpofu.
The human-wildlife conflict was another emotive issue raised. Residents lamented the loss of lives and livelihoods due to wild animals straying into human settlements. They called for the
capitalisation of the Human-Wildlife Relief Fund to compensate victims and mitigate conflict.
“We’re losing people here. The budget must fund the human-wildlife relief fund adequately. It’s painful to lose a breadwinner to a lion or an elephant and receive nothing in compensation.”
In a unique plea regarding currency, another resident urged the Treasury to consider disbursing smaller notes in the resort city.
“We struggle to get change for basic transactions. We’re often forced to buy things we do not want just to avoid the hassle of finding change. Treasury must look into making smaller denominations available in Victoria Falls.”
Addressing the gathering, the leader of the portfolio committee, Prince Dube, said the consultations were a constitutional mandate. He expressed satisfaction with the input received, saying that it would come in handy during the budget formulation process.
“I am satisfied with the active participation of the residents,” said Dube.
“The input we’ve gathered here will greatly assist the committee in crafting recommendations that reflect the will of the people. We’ll be moving to Hwange, Bulawayo, and other provinces to ensure no one is left behind.”
