Gokwe (New Ziana) – The Ministry of Local Government, Public Works and National Housing has approved Gokwe Town Council’s ZWL $1.1 billion budget for 2022, which will see rates and service charges going up by an average of 90 percent.
Following the approval, the council said it was now geared to embark on various projects, with major focus on education, roads, health, equipment and recreational facilities in line with the government’s Vision 2030.
Council acting finance director, Tafadzwa Kwirirai confirmed the approval of the budget, which totals ZWL $1 115 614.05, up from last year’s ZWL $531 613 996.56.
He said council intends to build six classroom blocks, rehabilitate four kilometres of the road network in each ward and surface the Central Business Centre.
Council also plans to build staff houses at Mapfungautsi Polyclinic clinic, and a public toilet at the long distance bus terminus.
Kwirirai said council also planned to purchase new equipment for road construction and rehabilitation.
He said council was owed ZWL $123 491 374.00 by residents and ratepayers, while it owed various creditors more than ZWL $2 million.
“We have come up with a number of strategies to recover the money from ratepayers. We now have ward based revenue collectors, friendly debt collectors, enforcing licensing, use of Information Communication Technology and continuous engagement with ratepayers,” Kwirirai said.
New Ziana
