Government approves Gweru’s US$54milliona budget for 2025

GOVERNMENT has approved a US$54 million budget for the Gweru City Council (GCC) for 2025, a major boost from last year’s US$43 million allocation.

The new budget, crafted after extensive consultations across the city’s 18 wards, reflects residents’ priorities and addresses long-standing service delivery concerns.

In an interview, GCC Mayor and Councillor Martin Chivhoko welcomed the approval by Local Government and Public Works Minister Daniel Garwe.

“I am glad to note that the Minister has approved the US$54 million budget for 2025. The earlier we secure approval, the sooner we can put our capital projects and other proposals into motion,” he said.

Despite proactive stakeholder engagement through pre-budget meetings, performance reviews, and public consultations, some residents remain critical of current service delivery levels.

The Gweru Residents and Ratepayers Association (GRRA) acknowledged improvements in water supply, sanitation, refuse collection, healthcare, and education. However, the GRRA is urging the council to increase transparency during budget formulation.

The association recommended that future draft budgets include key financial documents such as tariffs, income and expenditure reports, and a budget strategy paper — to foster greater public trust.

Council finance committee chairperson, Councillor Hlupeko Marufu, said the budget was developed through extensive consultations and expert reviews.

Clr Marufu also noted that the council had incorporated residents’ feedback by scrapping a contentious proposal to increase cemetery fees.

“Residents prioritised improved healthcare delivery, better educational facilities, and reliable water provision in the 2025 budget,” he said.

GCC has faced challenges with past budget approvals, including the rejection of a 2021 proposal to reduce rates and criticism over the rebasing of its 2022 budget in US dollars without adequate public consultation.

To address critical infrastructure gaps, the council plans to construct one school per year, with wards 1, 3, 5, 11, and 16 identified as priorities. In addition to that, a new clinic offering maternity services is slated for the Mkoba 16 suburb, aiming to improve healthcare access for local residents.

The council’s 2025 annual business plan, which was released to the public in December, seeks to consolidate progress made since 2021 while preparing for the National Development Strategy NDS2 (2026-2030).

“With the budget increase from US$43 million in 2024 to US$54 million in 2025, the plan emphasises enhanced service delivery, infrastructure development, and economic growth to improve the quality of life for residents and foster a prosperous local economy,” said council.

According to the plan, Gweru’s strategic location along major trade routes, coupled with its diverse economic sectors including mining, manufacturing, agriculture, education, and tourism provides a robust platform for sustainable growth in the coming years.