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George Maponga in Masvingo
Masvingo is on course to rehabilitate and upgrade most of its road infrastructure after Government pumped in nearly $100 million for the project under the Emergency Road Rehabilitation Programme(ERRP2).
The war chest from Government has given the ancient city fiscal space to forego a supplementary budget this year with council expecting to live on the current budget until year.
Town Clerk Engineer Edward Mukaratirwa downplayed prospects of a supplementary budget this year saying the ERRP 2 war chest from central Government had starved-off pressure on council revenues.
On top of the nearly $100 million from central Government under ERRP 2 received and expended to date,the ancient city was also thrown a lifeline after the Department of Roads undertook to rehabilitate four major roads in the city.
Engineer Mukaratirwa noted that funds initially budget for road works across the city were now being channeled to other areas to close gaps.
He,however, revealed that council was upping the ante in revenue collection to make sure there is enough revenue to last the current financial year which ends in December.
The revelation by Engineer Mukaratirwa comes as the local authority is intensifying water disconnections for defaulters both individuals and institutions.
The ongoing disconnections are expected to help council recoup additional revenue that is key to funding recurrent t expenditure till year end.
Masvingo aims to become a world-class city within the next decade and rehabilitation and upgrading of roads tops the priority list of city fathers in the ancient city.
Besides funding under ERRP2,the local authority has also received millions of dollars from Central government under devolution to finance infrastructural projects that can stimulate economic growth.
Online Reporter