Chronicle Editor
Sukulwenkosi Dube-Matutu, [email protected]
INSIZA Rural District Council has proposed a US$10,8 million budget for 2024 with a focus on infrastructure development, education, health, water, and sanitation services in line with the National Development Strategy 1 (NDS1).
Presenting the budget during a recent full council meeting, Insiza Rural District Council finance committee chairperson, Councillor Lupia Mtonga, said capacitating the council to drive policy formulation, reviews and effective implementation was critical.
“The budget primarily targets the capacitation of the local authority to sustainably deliver efficient social service programmes in the medium to long-term.
“The key to this vision is the laying of a solid foundation through ensuring the availability of quality enabling infrastructure and assets in the form of roads, water, housing, health, educational facilities, and the acquisition of machinery and human capital to construct and maintain these,” he said.
“The budget, therefore, will prioritise the strengthening of Insiza Rural District Council’s capacity in terms of planning, implementation, monitoring and evaluation.
“In this way, we will be able to ensure that Insiza RDC contributes meaningfully to the national vision of becoming an ‘Upper middle-income economy by 2030. Our future budgets are envisaged to continue focusing on providing basic infrastructure to our communities, especially in education, health and WASH,” said Clr Mtonga. He said the council will be focusing on investment promotion and expansion of the revenue base while luring investors into the district, especially in the mining sector.
Clr Mtonga said mining operations in the district were composed largely of small-scale miners who are not properly organised. Going forward, the target is to lure big players into the industry who will improve mining business in the district.Clr Mtonga said the council has also allocated funds towards fulfilling its role in mitigating the impacts of climate change as well as raising awareness.
“Council has budgeted US$22 600 to computerize its operations in a bid to achieve the desired level of electronic operations.
The council has budgeted for the housing module and vital hardware that will be able to leverage the housing module,” he said.
“This will help in maintaining an ideal database for households within the council’s area of jurisdiction and maximise the collection efficiency from housing customers.
“Specific interventions in the budget were informed by various contributions received through inputs and comments we received from the greater Insiza community, having followed public and other stakeholder engagements during the public participation process. This budget addresses the necessities and takes care of most communities in Insiza.”
Clr Mtonga said the public participation process included stakeholders in most sectors.
He said key priorities from consultations revolved around the provision of primary healthcare infrastructure in resettlement and other disadvantaged areas, and the provision of appropriate educational infrastructure for conducive learning in previously disadvantaged areas such as resettlements. — @DubeMatutu.
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