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Patrick Chitumba, patrick.chitumba@chronicle.co.zw
ZVISHAVANE Town Council has proposed a US$11 million budget for the 2025 fiscal year with water, sanitation, and infrastructure projects as main priorities.
The budget marks a 13 percent increase from the US$10m budget for 2024.
Council’s finance committee chairperson, Councillor Tariro Kurebwa, announced the proposed budget during a full council meeting held last week.
He said the budget seeks to address stakeholder challenges raised through a consultative process.
“Key among the issues raised were the provision of water and sanitation, infrastructure development, social services delivery, public safety, protection of the environment and fairness in tariffs charged by Zvishavane Town Council,” said Clr Kurebwa.
He highlighted that the local authority completed several projects in its 2024 budget.
These include the construction of Highlands Primary School blocks, construction of a new clinic in Lot 2 Makwasha, construction of extension offices, sewer system rehabilitation, Escrow-Gweru road rehabilitation, construction of a flea market and acquiring a fire tender.
Meanwhile, Shurugwi Town Council (STC) is proposing a US$9,5 million budget for 2025, which is a 72 percent increase from the current US$5,6 million budget.
Council’s finance committee chairperson, Clr Zvidzai Mukorovi, announced the proposed budget during last week’s full council meeting.
He said the budget seeks to address service delivery, infrastructure development and the town’s expansion.
“STC has acquired Impali Source Farm as a means of expansion and a platform for attracting investors and looks forward to having 1 658 residential stands being 1 200 high density and 458 low density including 85 commercial and 22 industrial stands.
“We have embarked on the RB Mine water project. We have since procured 60 percent of the required material. We intend to start with the pump house construction and installation of pipes to the reservoir.
“This will augment our water supplies to residents and improve sanitation and hygiene,” said Clr Mukorovi.
He said some of the earmarked projects include servicing of Sebanga and ZBS residential stands rehabilitation of Makusha road.
“One of the major ongoing projects is the PaMumvuri Bus Terminus upgrade that will see the development of 25 tuck-shops, 100 vegetable market stands and 80 flea market stands,” said Clr Mukorovi.
He said the local authority had collected only 48 percent of their 2024 budget as of September 30 and urged ratepayers to settle their debts.
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