daniel chigunwe
Talent Gore
THE City of Harare has proposed an emergency services levy of US$1 per household to fund the capital’s dilapidated emergency services and another US$1 levy for street lighting.
Presenting the 2025 budget proposal, finance and development committee chair Councillor Costa Mande said the city had only four functional ambulances out of the capital’s requirement of 32.
Mande said the City operations were resource hungry and most of the plant and equipment were provided for under devolution funds this year.
“Our emergency services require urgent capacitation,” he said.
“Out of a requirement of 32 ambulances only four are functional.
“To this effect, we are proposing the introduction of emergency services and street lighting levies in the 2025 fiscal year to augment funding.
“Households will be charged US$1 as an emergency services levy and US$1 as street lighting levy. An emergency services levy is a crucial financial tool which will provide a dedicated source of revenue to fund essential emergency services.”
He said the street lights levy will also provide a dedicated source of revenue to fund the installation of street lighting infrastructure. Mande added that the lack of resources is exacerbated by the unwillingness of customers to pay.
“Measures to enforce payment are being instituted but the collection efficiency remains below the optimum levels,” he said.
Mathew Masinge
Online Reporter