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Farirai Machivenyika-Senior Reporter
PUBLIC consultations for the 2025 national budget will begin on Monday with Parliament deploying four teams to gather people’s views across the country and allowing people to submit their views in writing, if they wish.
The hearings being conducted by the Parliamentary Portfolio Committee on Budget, Finance and Investment Promotion will run from next Monday until Saturday, October 12.
Team A will visit Muzarabani, Mt Darwin, Uzumba, Mvurwi, Marondera, Hwedza and Chikomba.
Team B will conduct hearings in Harare, Norton, Makonde, Zhombe, Kwekwe and Mberengwa.
Team C will conduct hearings in Binga, Jotsholo, Bubi, Mangwe, Gwanda and Bulawayo (three meetings).
Team D will consult the public in Makoni, Chipinge, Nyika, Bikita, Masvingo, Mwenezi, Beitbridge, Mvuma and Gutu.
Treasury has already issued the 2025 budget strategy paper, which outlines Government’s financial goals, objectives and strategies for achieving them.
The strategy paper provides a framework for making budget decisions and ensures that everyone involved in the budget process is working towards the same objectives.
The paper is being issued to communicate Government fiscal policy direction to all stakeholders who include citizens, private sector, labour and development partners.
It is meant to enhance understanding on Government policies and programmes and how distribution of national resources will be prioritised.
The 2025 budget strategy paper identified nine pillars derived from NDS 1 as priority areas in 2025.
These are economic growth and macro-stability, supporting productive value chains, infrastructure, ICTSs and the digital economy, youth, sport, arts and culture, women, gender equity, SMEs and veterans of the liberation struggle, devolution and decentralisation, human capital development, well-being and innovation, effective institution building and governance and image building, engagement and re-engagement.
Parliament has set a dress code that bars military uniforms and political party regalia.
“Those wearing military uniforms, signs or ranks, flags or badges and political party regalia will not have access to the public hearing. The public, interested groups and organisations are invited to attend these hearings.
“Written submissions and correspondences are welcome, and should be addressed to: The Clerk of Parliament Attention: Portfolio Committee on Budget, Finance and Investment Promotion P. O. Box CY298 Causeway, Harare or emailed to [email protected],” reads a statement from Parliament.
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