Shurugwi TC holds budget review meeting
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ALVINA CHIWANIKA
MIRROR REPORTER
SHURUGWI – Shurugwi Town Council held a budget review meeting last Tuesday at Nichrut Lodge.
One of the main highlights of the meeting was that Government is the main debtor with US$97 941.
The meeting was attended by stakeholders including the newly formed Shurugwi Residents and Ratepayers Association, the business community and residents.
The council’s finance director Charles Taonezvi said the local authority is owed US$2 616 million.
He said council is considering engaging debt collectors because the poor cash flows are now affecting service delivery.
“We are struggling to get money from our debtors and council cannot carry out any projects especially the water reticulation project which is our priority. The Government is owing us US$ 97 941. The total amount we are owed is US$ 2, 616, 865, 25 and we owe our creditors US$ 391 000.
“Council is hardly getting revenue and we are planning to engage debt collectors. We told our debtors to make payment plans but most of them didn’t even bother showing up,” he said.
He also highlighted that council managed to procure computers, cellphones, and service stations and put up a dedicated power line to its water treatment plant.
“I have noticed that beer halls always give us profit thus where we are getting money to survive. We went for four months without paying salaries but we have settled the accounts,” he said.
Shurugwi Residents and Ratepayers Association chairperson Bulle Madzitire said that the council should built more beerhalls if they bring in revenue.
“Council should build more beerhalls in areas as Magakushla and Impali. I am also worried and concerned over the need to engage debt collectors. Council should sue Government for not paying its rates,” said Madzitire.
