Harare residents’ Groups lay 2023 demands

Talent Gore
HARARE residents’ associations have collectively laid out their demands and expectations for 2023, and urged council to prioritise service delivery.

Top on their list is the urgent need for the City of Harare to fix its flawed billing system.

The residents also believe that the municipality needs to take its service delivery mandate seriously.

The residents’ representative bodies also indicated that they were ready to help the local authority with ideas and strategies to improve service delivery in 2023.

They are fed up with the perennial poor performance of the City of Harare with apathetic efforts to improve service delivery.

Their biggest concern is being made to pay outrageous estimated bills for non-existent services such as water and refuse collection.

Harare Residents’ Trust director, Precious Shumba, said service delivery will only improve when local authorities include the input of citizens in their policies and practices.

He urged council to fix its long running chaotic billing system and implement the 25 percent ward retention fund scheme.

The 25 percent ward retention fund scheme envisages the retention of 25 percent of generated revenue in each ward to fund development.

“They need to have a transparent and accountable billing system. Incomes and expenditures should be readily available to residents in the local district offices and at all other council offices,” he said.

“The City of Harare should restore the 25 percent ward retention fund and decentralise their services. In fact, they should devolve council to transfer fiscal, administrative and governance powers and responsibilities to district offices, thereby increasing efficiencies and effectiveness.

“The number of workshops outside Harare should be significantly reduced, and more funds should be directed towards service delivery priorities,” he said.

Combined Harare Residents Association (CHRA) acting director, Reuben Akilli, said 2023 presents the local authority with a unique opportunity to put its house in order and mend relations with residents.

“The game changer for our local authority would be clear and transparent billing. The current chaotic billing has been a major stumbling block for efficient revenue collection,” he said.

“The year 2023, presents an opportunity for council to put its effort on access to maternal health, water and waste management.”