By Denise Gondo
Council has announced a largely unchanged 2023 budget and maintained rates at the current levels and in some cases adjusted downwards as Council took heed of stakeholder concerns during the consultative process.
Announcing a largely unchanged budget Finance and Development Committee chairperson Cllr Costa Mande (ward 14) said water, sanitation and hygiene issues will take centre stage in 2023.
โThe budget before you is a responsive budget that has taken into consideration issues raised by stakeholders through the consultative process. Key among the issues raised were: the provision of water and sanitation, infrastructure development, social services delivery, public safety and security, protection of the environment and fairness in tariffs charged by City of Harare.โ
โThe 2023 budget, while it takes cognisance of issues raised by stakeholders, it is also an outward looking financial plan. The budget seeks to facilitate economic growth and development which will act as a catalyst to national economic transformation,โ he said.
Cllr Mande said the 2023 budget is anchored on enhancing good governance and infrastructure development.
โThis seeks to inspire confidence in our residents and promote both local and foreign investment. โThese are positive deliberate measures being undertaken by Council contribute to the attainment of the national vision at a local level,โ he said.
โThis will give a conceptual layout of future growth and development of the city as Council envisages to make a significant contribution to the national fiscus through growth in Local Gross Domestic Product.
โIt is important that this project be given priority implementation in the year 2023 as it will set the tone for development in the city. It will speak to potential investment areas, which will promote domestic and foreign investment.,โ he said.
Cllr Mande said the City is a fertile ground for Public Private Partnerships (PPPs) in infrastructure development since the City has no capacity to do it alone given huge capital outlays required for this.
Among some major highlights of the 2023 budget is the decision to dispose council rented accommodation to sitting tenants.
โCouncil resolved to dispose Council rented accommodation to eligible sitting tenants to promote home ownership in Harare,โ he said.
He said council has rationalised the majority of its fees as it moves to promote ease of doing business as well as increase its competitive advantage.
โBuilding Plan approval fees have been rationalised to facilitate ease of doing business and also market fees have been rationalised to promote the growth of the small and medium enterprises sector. Clamping and towing fees reduced as a response to the public outcry and as a measure to reduce corruption.
