Victoria Falls residents hail Government for people-centred national budget

Leonard Ncube, Online Reporter

VICTORIA FALLS residents have commended the Government for a people-centered national budget but implored the authorities to involve them more in the budget-making process to enhance the Decentralisation and Devolution agenda.

Finance, Economic Development and Investment Promotion Minister Professor Mthuli Ncube presented the national budget last month setting aside significant amounts of money for pro-poor programmes.

Speaking at a community media engagement organised by the Zimbabwe Union of Journalists (Zuj), Victoria Falls residents reiterated the call for the retention of some revenue generated in the country’s prime tourism destination.

Zuj came up with the engagement programme to create a platform for the media and community to discuss issues that affect day to day lives of citizens and seeks to bring to the table, media practitioners and news sources mainly officials who should explain issues of concern and service delivery while Journalists exercise their Watchdog role.

Mr Esau Ncube an economic analyst, Mr Kelvin Moyo the Victoria Falls Combined Residents Association chair and Ms Mercy Mushangwe, a financial expert and small and medium enterprises representative were the panelists.

Participants were drawn from a cross-section of the Victoria Falls community including residents, and religious and political leaders.

They expressed concern over the lack of effective representation as local legislators fail to take the community through the budget-making process.

Ms Mushangwe said an effective budget should involve women and SMEs

“We are happy that we lobbied for a women and SME-friendly budget and they listened. The allocation for Women to access loans was huge,” said Ms Mushangwe.

She encouraged women to form cooperatives to be able to access loans.

Mr Ncube said there was concern about some rebates and taxes targeted at certain quotas when they should be cross-cutting.

“We were not involved. I believe it is the duty of the members of Parliament to lead us in the budget-making process which however did not happen. There was no consultation hence people are over milked through taxes which are too much. These taxes are not new and what matters is the motive behind each tax regime.

“For example one wonders why we have rebates on safaris only, why not have the same on SMEs? We have legislators but we have been crying for these levies, especially in Victoria Falls. We have made it clear that we also want a percentage from the Rainforest and our legislators have failed us on this,” he said while urging the Government not to rely on taxes for revenue.

Mr Moyo said residents were aware of the budget-making process and needed to be guided by local leadership.

He said residents appreciated the budget and await its implementation by the Government.

Reverent Travena Chichoni of the Methodist Renewal Church said the religious sector was not involved in the budget-making process yet it commands the biggest population.

“On issues to do with nation building, the religious sector is not included yet we are a big player. We are not saying Government should not tax people but we are saying the taxation is too much because when you earn a salary or put money in the bank you get taxed when withdrawing, and get taxed when buying in shops,” she said.

Hwange West junior MP Confert Muleya who attended the session called for more resources to be channelled towards services that empower young people.

Muleya who is also junior Matabeleland North Provincial Affairs and Devolution Minister said less budget on key issues affects service delivery.

Participants implored the Government to allocate resources for the construction of a tertiary education facility in Victoria Falls.