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Councils abusing Zinara money to pay for workers' salaries
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Transport and Infrastructural Development Minister Felix Mhona has criticised some local authorities for misusing funds provided by the Zimbabwe National Roads Administration (Zinara), warning that the resources are being diverted to pay salaries instead of prioritising road rehabilitation.
Zinara has been disbursing funds to councils specifically for the refurbishment and maintenance of roads. However, concerns have emerged over councils' spending priorities, with reports indicating that some are allocating the money to recurrent expenditure rather than road projects.
"Sometimes when the money is allocated to councils, they use that money for salaries and not for road rehabilitation," Mhona told Parliament during Wednesday's question-and-answer session.
He said the government is now centralising the mobilisation of Zinara funds to improve accountability and ensure proper prioritisation.
"Zinara is now mobilising all the funds and putting them in one pocket. They then choose the roads that need to be refurbished, and every three months we are going to notify the House and Zimbabweans as to how much money is being allocated to each council," he said.
Mhona added that Parliament has the authority to hold councils accountable for their spending. "The august House has the power to invite councils to come and give their reports on how they utilise the money for road rehabilitation," he said.
The minister's remarks underscore ongoing efforts to improve transparency and efficiency in road infrastructure funding, amid growing public concern over the deteriorating state of urban and rural roads.
Zinara has been disbursing funds to councils specifically for the refurbishment and maintenance of roads. However, concerns have emerged over councils' spending priorities, with reports indicating that some are allocating the money to recurrent expenditure rather than road projects.
"Sometimes when the money is allocated to councils, they use that money for salaries and not for road rehabilitation," Mhona told Parliament during Wednesday's question-and-answer session.
"Zinara is now mobilising all the funds and putting them in one pocket. They then choose the roads that need to be refurbished, and every three months we are going to notify the House and Zimbabweans as to how much money is being allocated to each council," he said.
Mhona added that Parliament has the authority to hold councils accountable for their spending. "The august House has the power to invite councils to come and give their reports on how they utilise the money for road rehabilitation," he said.
The minister's remarks underscore ongoing efforts to improve transparency and efficiency in road infrastructure funding, amid growing public concern over the deteriorating state of urban and rural roads.
Source - online
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