Norman Dururu
GWERU City Council has completed consultations for its 2023 budget which was however
characterised by a low turnout.
Speaking with The Times, council spokesperson Vimbai Chingwaramusee said they were now at
objection stage after which they will submit the budget for approval with the minister on December
17.
“We are done with the consultations and I must say we were not happy with the engagement.
“It is unfortunate to say that there was a general low turn out of stakeholders and residents despite
the massive advertisement of the consultations.
“People present a lot of issues on social media but there is a no show when it comes to practically
coming on board to improve Gweru,” she said.
Chingwaramusee said the major highlight from the people who came were water issues.
“Residents were saying they want water challenges to be solved so that was factored in the minutes
and council is working to resolve that,” she said.
Council this year also consulted on what residents want them to do with devolution funds.
Residents again said they wanted council to look into water provision which is at its lowest.
Speaking during residents associations’ consultation meeting, Gweru finance director Livingston
Churu said council would continue rebasing rates so as to meet costs done in the United States
dollar.
Mayor Kombayi said there was need for an eight percent increase in rates to take care of the city’s
shambolic water metering system.
