daniel chigunwe
Blessings Chidakwa Municipal Reporter
Residents have criticised Harare City Council for delivering empty talk during each year’s budget presentation, while rates and charges rise, there is no implementation of all the promises and proposals for better services.
Commenting on the city’s proposed $41,8 billion budget for next year, Harare Residents Trust director Mr Precious Shumba said council must walk the talk.
“Council says the right things, but implementation is non-existent and several excuses are provided to justify the non-implementation of key proposals,” he said.
“The Harare Residents Trust will provide a comprehensive analysis of the proposed 2022 City Budget which we hope will answer most of the issues raised by residents during the virtual budget consultation meetings.”
Mr Shumba said council and ratepayers stood to benefit more from their close cooperation and collaboration for the benefit of the city.
He criticised the council for tabling water, sanitation and hygiene issues in every budget, yet no solution to water shortages, broken sewers and poor garbage collection had been proffered, despite experts having recommended suitable solutions.
“For a long time the City of Harare has acknowledged that 60 percent of treated water is being lost through leaks and illegal connections as non-revenue water,” said Mr Shumba.
“The solution has always been there, that the council should prioritise plugging these leaks and thefts of council water by replacing aged underground pipes, replacing dysfunctional water meters and revamping their billing system.”
Zimbabwe National Organisation of Associations and Residents Trust head Mr Shepherd Chikomba said they were saddened by increments with no service delivery on sight.
“Water billing must be based on actual consumption and not on perpetual estimates as that is fraud. Failure to collect refuse, invasion of wetlands and corruption is the order of the day at Town House,” he said.
“What is the City of Harare doing with all this revenue they have been collecting all these years? Service delivery is non-existent.”
Online Reporter