adminBULAWAYO councillors are set to receive financial incentives for managing to turn the local authority into one of the best run councils in the country and further managing to collect above average monthly rates from residents.
This was revealed by permanent secretary in the Ministry of Local Government, Public Works and National Housing, Engineer George Mlilo, who revealed that while the councillors had applied for a 450 percent allowance hike, Government had decided on a new model to award councillors as per performance. He revealed that councillors will get 0,025 percent of the money reserved for salaries and wages.
“Bulawayo City Council is the only local authority that collected a percentage more than every other local authority hence they surely deserve to be awarded. Yes they applied for an increase of their allowances but we decided to give them this incentive.
“Further, I should commend them for keeping their wage bill in check. The council adheres with 70 percent of generated money reserved for service delivery and 30 percent for salaries and allowances, which is why naturally they deserve this recognition,” said Eng Mlilo.
He said his office would calculate the figures to be disbursed and would soon be forwarding the communication to council officials, who will be tasked with disbursing the incentives.
“We will soon communicate with the local authority to give them further guidance but I must really commend them for trying by all means to ensure that funds are not abused by council officials.
“We hope that they will take this incentive as an encouragement to continue their hard work. It is no secret that the local authority was voted the best in the whole country. It is so obvious for all to see even just by going round their major projects and what they collect from residents. It is clear that this local authority is serious about service delivery,” said Eng Mlilo.
Last year the local authority managed to collect $96 million in total revenue, meaning that $28,8 million would be reserved for salaries. If each councillor is meant to get 0,025 percent of this figure they would get an incentive of $248 in addition to their allowances. A few months ago councillors caused a stir when they demanded an allowance increase of more than 450 percent, a move that would have seen an ordinary councillor getting $1 000 every month.
Clr Moyo made the request of the allowance increase during a meeting between councillors, council officials and the Minister of Local Government, Public Works and National Housing Cde Saviour Kasukuwere.
It was revealed that according to the new figures that were being proposed by the councillors, an ordinary councillor will be receiving $1 000, council committee chairpersons $1 200, the deputy mayor $1 500 while the mayor will be taking home $1 600 every month.
Currently the mayor, Clr Moyo, is getting $350; the deputy mayor, Clr Gift Banda, $300; committee chairpersons, $240, while ordinary councillors get $220. In Harare the approved allowances are that the mayor gets $450, deputy mayor $395, committee chairpersons $340 while ordinary councillors get $290.
According to the council’s salary schedule contained in a confidential council report, the lowest paid worker, who is Grade One gets a basic salary of $180 that can be incentivised to notch six where they can get up to $241. Grade Two workers get $255 and their maximum notch is $340. Grade Three workers get a basic salary of $360.
Online Reporter