adminMashonaland West Correspondent
Chinhoyi Municipality is struggling to provide efficient service provision as residents, ratepayers and Government departments owe the city more than $40 million.
Addressing vendors and small entrepreneurs at a pre-budget consultative meeting for 2019, Chinhoyi Municipality finance director Mr Zephenia Chirarwe said the local authority was owed $40 261 158 by its debtors. “Our main debts are coming from water and estate debtors and we are calling on all those who owe council to clear their debts,” he said.
Mr Chirarwe urged all ratepayers to take advantage of the 50 percent discount the local authority is running in its endeavour to boost its revenues. The promotion, which started on September 1, will end this month.
“We are appealing to all our ratepayers to take advantage of the 50 percent relief incentive,” said Mr Chirarwe.
Mr Chirarwe said residents expect quality services, but it will be difficult without them paying for it.
“We are encouraging residents to pay so that we can improve the quality of service we offer them,” he said.
The Chinhoyi Municipality is targeting to collect $20 357 554 by the end of this year, but had only collected $4 088 367 in the first half of the year ending in June.
Online Reporter