Chronicle Editor
Michael Magoronga, Midlands Correspondent
THE Ministry of Local Government and Public Works has approved Redcliff Municipality’s 2024 budget with stringent conditions, chief among them taking action in boosting revenue collection and addressing water challenges.
The town witnessed a depletion of its coffers after the closure of Ziscosteel which employed a majority of the residents.
The development also resulted in water challenges since the iron and steel giant was the one responsible for treating and distributing water to residents.
Since then, Redcliff has been relying on water from Kwekwe leading to wrangles between the two local authorities over payments.
In approving the proposed budget, the Government ordered the local authority to find ways of addressing issues that hinder services delivery.
“The Ministry has approved the 2024 budget for Municipality of Redcliff with the conditions that council must deal with low revenue collection and must submit a monthly report on its progress and challenges on this issue especially the clearing of the salaries and statutory obligations must be prioritised,” reads the letter signed by Ministry of Local Government and Public Works Permanent Secretary, Dr John Bhasera.
The ministry said council should engage residents to ensure that debts were recouped to fund council developmental activities while the Emergency Road Rehabilitation Programme (ERRP) accounts should be updated regularly.
“Council must take an affirmative resolve to have an integrated database and ERRP with a fully utilised accounting system that can produce both management and final accounts,” the ministry ordered.
The local authority was also directed to resolve issues between Kwekwe and itself and prioritise the “Call to Action” blueprint.
“Wherein, expeditiously resolve your wrangle with Kwekwe City with regards to supply of water. You should continue to entrench the rehabilitation and augmentation of water and sewerage services. Council is advised that stringent monitoring of these issues and those on the Call to Action blueprint will be done at least quarterly during the course of the year,” further read the letter.
Mayor Alderman Vincent Masiiwa said they have started implementing some measures to try and boost revenue collection.
“Most of the issues raised in the budget has to do with our low revenue inflows thereby affecting service delivery and salary payments. We have since put in place measures to try and boost our inflows including offering a discount for ratepayers who pay their bills in USD,” he said.
He said they have also started disconnecting water from residents who owe council.
“We are targeting those areas that often receive water like in Rutendo suburb. This is another way we can make people pay their dues and if they pay in USD, they get a discount,” he said.
Bongani Ndlovu