BCC maintains US$ tariffs
TENDAI BHEBE IN BULAWAYO
The Bulawayo City Council (BCC) has maintained the present United States dollar (US$) tariff when it unveiled its proposed US$264m budget for 2023 this week.
Presenting the proposed budget at council chambers, the chairperson of the Finance and Economic Development Committee, Tawanda Ruzive said residents will pay their bills in either the US$ or the Zimbabwe dollar at prevailing exchange rate.
He said the budget sets the tone for the City of Bulawayo’s aspirations for the forthcoming 12 months guided by council’s vision, the national vision and National Development Strategy 1 (NDS 1).
“The 2023 budget will maintain the US$ tariffs at last year’s levels. Monthly bills will continue to be based on US $ tariffs but translated to local currency at time of billing. Payment of bills will continue to be in all currencies tradable in our country. Council is expected to deliver services in line with the residents and stakeholders expectations,” Ruzive said.
He said residents and stakeholders should expect to experience some pain as there was no reform without pain.
Ruzive said the ZINARA funds for 2023 are based on estimates. Government is yet to release the 2023 allocations for this fund, he said.
He said the council intends to construct two clinics in Cowdray Park and Emganwini.
“A provision of US$200 000 has been set aside in the capital budget. A provision of US$175,000 has been made for an industrial clinic to cater for council’s staff,” Ruzive said.
He said the local authority will invest in refurbishing council’s investment properties so that they yield better returns.
“A US$200,000 has been budgeted for the renovations of Sidojiwe flats whilst US$1m will be invested in refurbishing council’s investment properties namely Coles Court, Howard Court, Lyndhurst Court, Parkhurst and Tregene Court.
“In 2023 Council will continue servicing land using the pre-sale model. Council has set aside US$12 158 000 to service water for new stands in Emganwini, Highmount, Magwegwe Extension, Umvumila Industrial and Housing Park, Killarney East and Bellevue, Emhlangeni and Pumula East.
Sewer servicing in the same areas has an allocation of US$11 510 000 and roads have been allocated US$5 600 000,” he said.
The block of flats was named after Prince Sidojiwe Khumalo the son of the last Ndebele monarch, King Lobengula. They were built for bachelors who worked in Bulawayo’s Belmont industrial area in the 1950s.
Meanwhile, the Citizens Coalition for Change Bulawayo councillors have called on BCC to keep the 2023 budget at 2022 levels, saying residents will not afford a revised budget upwards.
