News / Local
Zinara fails to remit funds to Bulawayo City Council
11 Jan 2015 at 06:22hrs | Views
The City Council here has criticised Zimbabwe National Roads Administration (Zinara) for failing to remit funds to rehabilitate roads as a crater field of potholes is being neglected.
The road defects, which can be found on almost all roads here, have been getting progressively deeper for weeks since the inception of the rains in the country's second largest city.
Speaking at the first council meeting of the year last week, Councillor Norman Hlabani, the engineering committee chairperson, said Zinara was supposed to give to Caesar what belongs to Caesar.
"In terms of funding, I say Zinara must give the council what belongs to the council so that we work towards building a better city of Kings devoid of potholes that are now everywhere in the city," he said.
"We have to be given what is due to us as a council, and Zinara must stop abusing and mismanaging the funds."
The council charged that Zinara collects about $300 million annually from the country's 26 tollgates, licensing fees and other road fees that are being charged to motorists.
"Since assuming office in September 2013, Zinara has failed to fund road maintenance to the city council for road works," said councillor Silas Chigora.
"The roads are supposed to be maintained by revenue generated from cars, all vehicles pay licences three times annually and all the money goes to Zinara, as such Zinara is expected to allocate a certain percentage to the council but that has not been done since 2013. Previously, these funds were coming directly into the city council coffers but since Zinara took over in 2010, no money has been coming through to the council."
Bulawayo City Council is supposed to get $370 000 per quarter which translates to $1,4 million annually. The council said it has been forced to use money generated from other departments towards road maintenance.
The country's 26 tollgates, that charge a fee of $3 to $5 for different types of vehicles, collects in excess of $66 million yearly, and about $130 million annually from road access fees, vehicle licencing, transit fees and fuel levy among other revenue streams.
Zinara is currently in the eye of a storm for purchasing 40 graders worth $8 million which are unsuitable for use under local climates since they are fitted with snow ploughs.
"We feel hard done by Zinara as these graders were supposed to be allocated to council including Bulawayo but we cannot have access to them as we hear that they are not suitable for our climate, meaning it was a waste of money," said Chigora.
"We also hear that there is misappropriation of funds of up to $40 million and management are taking quite a chunk as their salaries, with one being said to be earning more than $400 000.
"That is a shame and we expect the responsible minister to take appropriate action as this is unacceptable."
The road defects, which can be found on almost all roads here, have been getting progressively deeper for weeks since the inception of the rains in the country's second largest city.
Speaking at the first council meeting of the year last week, Councillor Norman Hlabani, the engineering committee chairperson, said Zinara was supposed to give to Caesar what belongs to Caesar.
"In terms of funding, I say Zinara must give the council what belongs to the council so that we work towards building a better city of Kings devoid of potholes that are now everywhere in the city," he said.
"We have to be given what is due to us as a council, and Zinara must stop abusing and mismanaging the funds."
The council charged that Zinara collects about $300 million annually from the country's 26 tollgates, licensing fees and other road fees that are being charged to motorists.
"Since assuming office in September 2013, Zinara has failed to fund road maintenance to the city council for road works," said councillor Silas Chigora.
"The roads are supposed to be maintained by revenue generated from cars, all vehicles pay licences three times annually and all the money goes to Zinara, as such Zinara is expected to allocate a certain percentage to the council but that has not been done since 2013. Previously, these funds were coming directly into the city council coffers but since Zinara took over in 2010, no money has been coming through to the council."
Bulawayo City Council is supposed to get $370 000 per quarter which translates to $1,4 million annually. The council said it has been forced to use money generated from other departments towards road maintenance.
The country's 26 tollgates, that charge a fee of $3 to $5 for different types of vehicles, collects in excess of $66 million yearly, and about $130 million annually from road access fees, vehicle licencing, transit fees and fuel levy among other revenue streams.
Zinara is currently in the eye of a storm for purchasing 40 graders worth $8 million which are unsuitable for use under local climates since they are fitted with snow ploughs.
"We feel hard done by Zinara as these graders were supposed to be allocated to council including Bulawayo but we cannot have access to them as we hear that they are not suitable for our climate, meaning it was a waste of money," said Chigora.
"We also hear that there is misappropriation of funds of up to $40 million and management are taking quite a chunk as their salaries, with one being said to be earning more than $400 000.
"That is a shame and we expect the responsible minister to take appropriate action as this is unacceptable."
Source - dailynews
