Council presents US$578m budget

Blessings Chidakwa-Herald Reporter

HARARE City Council yesterday presented a US$578 million 2024 budget, promising to focus on improvement in service delivery at affordable rates.

The local authority also resorted to assigning blame elsewhere to justify its failure to provide services.

The theme of the budget was, “Accelerating Quality Service Delivery for Everyone.”

According to the budget, capital expenditure is US$135 994 300 and recurrent expenditure US$442 554 600 to give a total of US$578 548 900.

Presenting the budget in council chambers, Harare City Council finance chairperson councillor Costa Mande said the 2024 budget focuses on service delivery and was skewed towards water and sanitation underpinned by robust governance.

“The budget before you is a responsive budget that has paid attention to the issues raised by stakeholders through the consultative process. 

“Key among the issues raised were; the provision of water and sanitation, infrastructure development, social services delivery, public safety and security, protection of the environment and fairness in tariffs charged by the City of Harare,” he said. 

Clr Mande said the local authority was also facing problems from ratepayers who want the services delivered before they part with their money.

“The debtors position remains a challenge as residents say deliver we pay and we say pay and we deliver.” 

“To that effect, as we struggle with service delivery, the debtors position continues to rise and is now $486,58 billion as of 30 September 2023 from the 1 January position of $96, 07 billion,” he said. 

The debt is stated in local currency.

Clr Mande said the recent Statutory Instrument 218 of 2023 which extends the multiple currency regime to 2030 promulgated by Government will also help local authorities to plan effectively. 

“Harare faces service delivery challenges such as inadequate potable water, healthcare, potholed roads, poor public lighting and inadequate primary schools to service the ever-growing population. 

“The country’s economic performance, coupled with internal operational challenges, has contributed to the short-fall in service delivery,” he said.