Bulawayo, (New Ziana)-The Bulawayo City Council has proposed to introduce a water levy in its 2025 budget as part of efforts to address the worsening shortages that the local authority is facing.
The US$309 million budget which the chairman of the Finance and Development Committee Mpumelelo Moyo announced focuses on necessary improvements in water infrastructure, roads, health, and social services against the backdrop of a city grappling with inflation and a protracted drought.
The city is facing acute water shortages which Moyo said the proposed budget seeks to address. “The council has proposed to introduce a water levy to fund the rehabilitation of water infrastructure. The proposal was that it should be US$1 for domestic properties and US$10 for non-domestic properties,” he said.
Moyo said the local authority was also proposing to suspend free water while the needy and disadvantaged members of the society will be identified and continue to be subsidised.
“Continued low rainfall patterns and dwindling water levels at Council’s supply dams have questioned the logic of offering free water during tight water rationing and shedding,” he said.
The local authority introduced a tight 120-hour water shedding owing to the low levels of water in the city’s supply dams. Dam reservoirs were at just 28.58 percent capacity this month, down from 50.8 percent during the same period the previous year.
Of the total water supply, only 101 million cubic meters are currently usable, a significant decrease from the previous year. The city relies on six supply dams, Insiza, Inyankuni, Lower Ncema, Upper Ncema, Umzingwane, and Mtshabezi which are all now on low levels due to El Nino-induced drought.
Moyo also highlighted that council was proposing to introduce road to fund the rehabilitation of the roads.
“The proposal was that the fund be ring-fenced and it should be US$1 for domestic properties and US$10 for non-domestic properties.
“Road rehabilitation is critical, with over 12 kilometers of the city’s road network already attended to this year. “The poor state of roads has become a point of frustration for residents, as potholed streets and inadequate storm drains continue to affect traffic and safety,” said the chairperson.
Meanwhile, the local authority has proposed a capital budget of US$82 million, constituting 26 percent of the total budget, with the Revenue Budget set at US$227 million, translating to 74 percent.
“Council has set aside US$64 million under this program. US$ 19 million will be spent on capital projects while US$45 million will be spent on recurrent expenditure,” said Moyo.
He said the projects will be funded from External Borrowing, Revenue Contributions to Capital Outlay, ZINARA funding, Devolution funds, Public subscription (Presale scheme) in various suburbs, Traditional Beer levy and parking fees. Moyo also said US$6.5 million has been set aside in the 2025 capital budget towards digitalisation of council operations.
“The funds will be channeled towards procurement of hardware such as personal computers, laptops, tablets, printers, servers, hardware for prepaid metering, and other peripheral computer-related equipment to enhance Council’s digital interaction with stakeholders.
“Council has introduced several innovative programs to improve people’s lives and encourage and expand the usage of e-services and ICT. This is in line with Council’s vision of becoming a smart city and Vision 2030,” he said. He added that the council will seek to implement cybersecurity programs and replace obsolete equipment.
New Ziana
