Martin Muleya
CHIPINGE TIMES REPORTER

Mutare – The Minister of Local Government and Public Works, July Moyo has approved a ZWL$45,45 billion 2023 annual budget for City of Mutare.
The budget translates to US$64,84 million and this is a static budget in terms of foreign currency value and therefore residents will be paying the same charges just as last year.
Acting Mutare Town Clerk Blessing Chafesuka confirmed the approval to The Mirror.
“We are excited that our budget has been approved and that this has happened early in the year. Some key projects that will be attended to by this budget include the procurement of a new bulldozer, installing street lights, procurement of fire tender, construction of a new school in Gimboki area, construction of the Hobhouse clinic and upgrading of water systems,” said Chafesuka.
The council will also deal with the rampant sewer bursts and replace pipes. Roads and the stadium will be upgraded, said the acting town clerk.
United Mutare Residents Ratepayers Trust (UMRRT) Programmes Manager Edison Dube hailed the early approval of the budget.
“Our hope is that City of Mutare will implement a budget that reflects the will of the people of Mutare. No rates adjustment upwards, no undue actions that never originated from residents. We must see little or no interference of politics given that we are heading for the general elections,” he said.
Regai Tsunga, a resident and former legislator for Mutasa South emphasized the need to allow council to implement its policies, programmes and projects with minimum disruptions in the area of resource allocation.
Tsunga highlighted that the currency of anchor for the budget was the United States Dollars and thus it will guarantee a smooth flow of operations for the city.
“The use of the US$ will guarantee a smooth flow of operations notwithstanding the discomfort that residents will have to endure due to the inevitable upwards reviews in their monthly bills that will be denominated in the local unit. All said and done Council has an obligation to deliver and fulfill the promises it made in the budget while residents have the duty to pay so as to meet their side of the bargain,” said Tsunga.