Beatrice Imbayago

BINDURA Municipality has implemented new strategies to encourage rate payments and boost revenue inflows. These measures aim to provide the financial support needed to improve service delivery in the town.
Public Relations Officer Spren Mutiwi stated that the council has launched targeted initiatives to tackle the long-standing debt burden, which has hampered effective service delivery. Residents currently owe the municipality around US$7 million.
“We introduced the Maintain Up To Date Account Promotion’ to enhance revenue collection,” he said.
Mutiwi explained that residents account for the largest portion of the council debt, making it challenging for the municipality to operate effectively. Residents properties represent 44 percent of the debt, totalling US$95 million. Small and medium enterprises follow with 21 percent (US$44 million), industrial operations account for 6 percent (US$12 million), land sales make up 5 percent (US$10 million), and government and institutions contribute 4 percent (US$8 million), he said.
Peter Sinoa of Chiwaridzo, who won the Maintain Up To Date Account Promotion’, encouraged fellow residents to keep their accounts current to ensure uninterrupted service delivery.I won the grand prize, a 32-inch plasma television, through the council’s promotion. I hope this motivates other residents to pay their rates so the council can continue providing services; he said.
Farai Chipadza, another winner, applauded the council's initiatives to enhance service delivery in Bindura.
We appreciate the municipality’s commitment to improving services, and I urge other residents to support these efforts by paying their rates on time, he said.
These new strategies come at a time when service delivery in Bindura has suffered due to financial constraints and low rate payment compliance among residents.