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Blessings Chidakwa Municipal Correspondent
Government has approved Chitungwiza’s $477 million budget but expressed serious misgivings over the council’s penchant for luxuries that include unsanctioned increases in wages and allowances at the expense of service delivery.
Further, Government also castigated the council for using a simple single multiplier to hike rates, without taking into consideration variations in the costs of different items.
The local authority was challenged to come up with a clear debt recovery strategy as its debtors book was unacceptably high with no real signs of improvement.
This was revealed in a letter dated March 11, 2020 signed by chief director of urban local authorities in the Ministry of Local Government and Public Works, Ms Erica Jones, on behalf of the permanent secretary, Mr Zvinechimwe Churu.
“I wish to inform you that the minister has conditionally approved the 2020 budget for Chitungwiza Municipality. The ministry is concerned over the continued increase in salary and statutory obligations arrears as these show that the council clearly cannot afford its workforce and yet continues to increase wages and allowances,” read the letter.
“Council must take some tough decisions in order to deal with this issue. It is noted that council used a flat rate for increases implying the absence of proper cost build-up for each service. It is essential that the cost build-ups are produced so that tariffs are viable and are also explainable to residents.”
Ms Jones said there was also need for council to properly disaggregate revenues to easily identify their sources and direct them to their intended use.
“The level of debtors is unacceptably high with no real signs of improvement. Council is instructed to come up with a debt collection strategy and implement same to ensure cost recovery on services provided. On the other hand, council must make an effort to pay its debts.
“Council is commended for making progress in being audit compliant and should henceforth comply with the Public Finance Management Act,” she said.
Chitungwiza Acting Town Clerk Dr Tonderai Kasu confirmed that the budget was approved.
At one time Chitungwiza Municipality needed temporary Presidential powers to avoid the attachment and sale in execution of its property and avoid exposing residents to health risks due to poor service delivery.
Chitungwiza had lost property to creditors who went to court in a bid to recover monies owed to them.
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