Chronicle Editor
Vusumuzi Dube, Online News Editor
THE Bulawayo City Council (BCC) has seen its debtors and creditors increase by over 180 percent in the first six months of the year, with the local authority saying the cost of providing services has increased beyond its reach.
According to the 2023 budget performance review for the first half of the year, the local authority revealed that their debtors increased by 183 percent from $34 billion in January to $97 billion while their creditors increased by 188 percent from $6 billion to $19 billion.
“In the exchange rate movements there was an increased demand for foreign currency by suppliers, price instability, debtors preferring to pay in local currency and inputs for service delivery priced out of reach.
“As for the impact of inflation on service provision, there was delayed acquisition of inputs required for service provision, contractors failing to implement projects due to loss of value and cost of providing services increased beyond,” reads part of the review.
In terms of accrued income by programme — which is revenue that’s been earned, but has yet to be received — for governance and administration, with a partial budget of $26 billion, the local authority accrued $48 billion, water sanitation and hygiene, with a budget of $14 billion, they have accrued $51 billion while for social services with a budget of $10 billion they have accumulated $7 billion.
For roads, with a partial budget of $10 million, the local authority has accumulated $566 million, public safety and security services with a partial budget of $317 million they accrued $158 million, while for natural resources conservation and management with a partial budget of $40 million they accumulated $32 million.
On expenditure, with a budget of $51 billion the local authority had an actual accrued expenditure of $41 billion.
The local authority also revealed significant progress in some of the private public partnership ventures which includes the parking management system facility they entered with Tendy Three Investments.
“For the parking management system with Tendy Three Investments, cash raised this year was US$410 738, R310 949, and $269 million. Funds used in improving parking bays. Marked bays amount to 5 207 with the number of bays as per contract at plus 7 200.
“The establishment of a solar plant at Ncema by Williams Engineering, the project was approved by Cabinet on Tuesday, 13 December 2022, the project will reduce water shedding due to load shedding of water works and pump stations,” reads part of the performance review.
BCC further revealed that to date the city procured five Nissan NP 200, four Mazda BT50, one Motorised Grader, one wheel loader and one Hydraulic Excavator.
“At Egodini Mall, the preparatory phase which is the bulk servicing it is now 95 percent complete, while phase 1A, which includes the vending stalls, filling station, bus rank, toilet block and offices for public transport operators, it is at 50 percent complete.
“Emganwini Satellite Clinic is 98 percent complete, E F Watson Clinic refurbishment is 90 percent complete while the construction of pharmacies at seven clinics- Luveve, Njube, Pelandaba, Nketa, Maqhawe, Emakhandeni and E F Watson is 75 percent complete,” reads the review.
Bongani Ndlovu