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Ray Bande
Senior Reporter
LOCAL Government and Public Works Minister, Dr Winston Chitando said funds meant to finance the country’s devolution agenda are announced during the national budget and disbursement is done as and when Treasury collects revenue.
Fielding questions from participants during the Smart Cities and Devolution Master Class 2024 at Troutbeck Resort in Nyanga today, Minister Chitando said: “What happens is that the Minister of Finance, Economic Development and Investment Promotion announces his proposed budget, wherein he spells out, among other things, the funds he intends to allot to devolution. The proposed budget then undergoes debate in Parliament and all other processes before it is confirmed.
“Thereafter, the Ministry of Finance, Economic Development and Investment Promotion then collects revenue from its different sources. Funds for devolution are then disbursed as and when revenue is collected during the year under which that budget is running. So if the Minister of Finance, Economic Development and Investment Promotion states a certain amount in his budget, it does not translate to immediate disbursement. Yes, we are equally concerned with the exchange rate disparities that exist between the time the budget is announced and when the funds are disbursed but that is a process which has to be followed.”
The Smart Cities and Devolution Master Class 2024, which came to an end today, ran under the theme: “Towards Smart Cities and Beyond”.
Minister Chitando reiterated the call to reverse the declining quality of service delivery in towns and cities.
He said sound local governance must be implemented to improve socio-economic development by 2030.
Online Reporter