News / Local
2011 budget, Bulawayo residents adopts priority areas set last year
30 Aug 2011 at 21:26hrs | Views
The residents of Bulawayo have adopted priority areas set in last year's budget for the city's 2011 budget which has a total revenue provision of US$ 102,952,085 and a capital budget ofUS$ 74,8 million.
Consultative meetings held in the city to assist in crafting the 2011 budget, revealed that the residents felt that water should remain the first priority. Other service delivery areas which were prioritised in the budget consultation meetings included; Sewerage, Health, Housing, Roads, Education, Public Lighting, Social Services and Fire and Ambulance Services respectively.
The residents expressed concern over the city's service delivery targets, with many noting that there was need for Council to do more in order to improve its services.
"Residents want Council to act on the water situation by ensuring that bulk water is available through the provision of additional dams. They also want water leaks and sewer blockages to be attended to promptly, although we note that this is also dependent on the availability of resources such as vehicles, protective clothing and materials," said Mr Kempton Ndimande, BCC's Financial Services Director.
He added that the city had drawn up a capital budget of US$ $74.8 million and a revenue budget of US$ 102,952,085 following consultation with the residents. "We held our second round of consultations in all the wards and the proposed revenue and capital budgets were unveiled to the residents, who unanimously agreed with the proposals," he added.
The capital budget and revenue budgets comprise of the Rates and General Services Account, Housing Account, Health and Community Services Account, Estates Account, Sewerage Account and the Water account. Mr Ndimande added that this year, several attempts had been made by Council to cushion residents and this was further emphasised by Council resolving that there would not be an increase in tariffs. Mr Ndimande pointed out that consultation meetings were important in that they promoted residents involvement in local government issues, adding that residents views on issues were incorporated before a decision was made by Council. "This results in total participation by stakeholders, thereby encouraging ownership of the budget. We also obtain first hand information from the residents so that Council can plan with accurate information. Stakeholders form the most important component of the operations of Council as they finance the budget by paying their rates.
Consultative meetings held in the city to assist in crafting the 2011 budget, revealed that the residents felt that water should remain the first priority. Other service delivery areas which were prioritised in the budget consultation meetings included; Sewerage, Health, Housing, Roads, Education, Public Lighting, Social Services and Fire and Ambulance Services respectively.
The residents expressed concern over the city's service delivery targets, with many noting that there was need for Council to do more in order to improve its services.
He added that the city had drawn up a capital budget of US$ $74.8 million and a revenue budget of US$ 102,952,085 following consultation with the residents. "We held our second round of consultations in all the wards and the proposed revenue and capital budgets were unveiled to the residents, who unanimously agreed with the proposals," he added.
The capital budget and revenue budgets comprise of the Rates and General Services Account, Housing Account, Health and Community Services Account, Estates Account, Sewerage Account and the Water account. Mr Ndimande added that this year, several attempts had been made by Council to cushion residents and this was further emphasised by Council resolving that there would not be an increase in tariffs. Mr Ndimande pointed out that consultation meetings were important in that they promoted residents involvement in local government issues, adding that residents views on issues were incorporated before a decision was made by Council. "This results in total participation by stakeholders, thereby encouraging ownership of the budget. We also obtain first hand information from the residents so that Council can plan with accurate information. Stakeholders form the most important component of the operations of Council as they finance the budget by paying their rates.
Source - siyephambili
