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MOST local authorities have since complied with the Government directive to write off residents’ debts accumulated over the past four years. This means that residents who had accumulated debts, some running into thousands of dollars, between February 2009 when the country introduced multi- currency and 30 June this year, had all the outstanding money written off.
Residents are starting from zero as from 1 July this year. Cancellation of debts therefore brought great relief to residents, some of whom had given up clearing the arrears given their limited incomes.
The councils now have to rely on payment of current bills to fund the provision of various services as well as meet other obligations such as paying salaries.
The residents therefore have an obligation to meet their part of the bargain. Central Government played its part when it asked councils to write off debts and now that everyone is starting on a clean slate, it is important for each and every resident to strive to pay bills every month to avoid accumulating arrears.
We want to commend the political leaders and residents’ associations that are already urging residents to regularly pay their bills. The politicians and leaders of residents’ associations are in fact echoing our last week’s sentiments that it is important for residents to pay their monthly bills to enable councils to continue providing essential services.
The bulk of the councils’ revenue comes from residents so if residents do not pay their bills, councils will find it difficult to provide the services. We do not want a situation whereby councils fail to buy essentials such as water treatment chemicals or fail to pay employees’ salaries. Most councils have been forced to provide limited services due to financial constraints and the situation could get worse if residents stop paying bills.
It is important for councils, residents’ association leaders and politicians to engage residents to explain the importance of regular payment of bills.
It is a fact that many residents are finding it difficult to make ends meet with some families forced to forgo basics but as already stated, it is crucial to strive every month to pay council bills.
Many breadwinners are out of employment following the closure of industries in different cities and towns. It is everybody’s hope that many of these industries will be re-opened soon so that the country’s economy can start to tick again. What is important now is to tighten the belt and sacrifice the little income from whatever source to pay for essentials such as council bills.
Zimbabweans should be commended for their resilience during the many years of the economic meltdown caused by the illegal sanctions imposed on the country by Western countries. Many people continued to fend for their families despite the skyrocketing prices of basic commodities such as mealie-meal, cooking oil and sugar among others.
Parents, many of whom were out of employment, sacrificed whatever little they realised to pay school fees for their children hence Zimbabwe has the highest literacy rate in Africa despite emerging from such a difficult period. The challenge to Government is to prioritise the revival of industries so that the majority of breadwinners in towns and cities are gainfully employed to enable them to meet basics for their families.
The councils on their part should ensure they put in place systems that guarantee accurate bills to encourage residents to pay. We want to once again implore residents to strive to pay their monthly bills so that councils continue to provide the essential services such as provision of water, refuse removal and road maintenance.
Online Reporter