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Chronicle Reporter
TREASURY should allocate more funding to local authorities in next year’s budget to enable councils to fund capital projects so that the revenue they collect from ratepayers could be used to improve service delivery, Zanu-PF Politburo member Cde Joshua Malinga said.
In an interview at the weekend, the former Bulawayo mayor and disability activist, Cde Malinga said local authorities can only implement capital projects if they receive adequate funding from central Government.
“Local authorities are the frontline of development and they are not different from central Government. I believe councils should be allocated more funding from Treasury just like ministries. Finance Minister Patrick Chinamasa must give councils a good share of the national cake.
“We need a change in this regard so that local authorities are empowered to do their job,” said Cde Malinga.
He said money from the Government should be used to fund capital projects such as housing development so that revenue from rates, rentals and service charges could be used to improve service delivery.
Cde Malinga bemoaned the distressed state of local authorities across the country. He said in order to encourage residents to pay their bills, councils should desist from overcharging them.
Cde Malinga expressed concern over the ballooning housing waiting list in Bulawayo, which has surpassed 100 000.
“We never experienced that during our time. We used to have vibrant housing projects and at one time we were able to cope with demand for accommodation,” he said.
Cde Malinga said Government could use proceeds from mining to fund construction of houses in different towns and cities. He said the new Government should work on delivering on its election promises.
Cde Malinga called for the implementation of the long proposed Chitepo Ideological College, which was meant to teach Zimbabweans about the fundamentals of nationhood, unity and pride in being a Zimbabwean.
“We should have fundamental values that should not be tampered with. We need to know and uphold common values regardless of one’s political affiliation,” said Cde Malinga.
Cde Malinga said the recent Zanu-PF victory in Matabeleland South and parts of Matabeleland North was encouraging and challenged the winners to engage effectively on issues affecting their people rather than being back benchers.
He said people from Matabeleland should not shy away from empowerment programmes but should fight to get their own share.
Cde Malinga called on intellectuals from Matabeleland who are working in the Diaspora to return home and contribute to the development of the country and uplift the areas they come from.
He said all that was required for the revival of Bulawayo industries was political will.
Online Reporter