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Michael Magoronga Midlands Correspondent
Government is planning to release funds to councils for the rehabilitation of infrastructure and improve service delivery, Local Government, Public Works and National Housing Minister Cde July Moyo has said.

In an interview, Minister Moyo said it was high time Government moves to assist cash strapped local authorities in a bid to improve infrastructure, which play a critical role in attracting foreign direct investment. “As Government we want to assist the councils in a big way. We have to bail them out from the quagmire they are in, we need them to improve their infrastructure and improve service delivery,” said Cde Moyo.

He said the move was in line with President Emerson Mnangagwa’s call to improve infrastructure and service delivery by councils to attract investment.

He said councils have already been asked to draw up their budgets before funds are released.

“We have compiled funding gaps for each city. We want the councils to use the funds they collect from residents for capital expenditure and we will help them out with funds to provide service,” he said.

Minister Moyo said service delivery by most local authorities left a lot to be desired hence the decision by Government to provide them with funding to ease burden in a bid to attract investment.

“As you know, infrastructure plays a key role in attracting foreign direct investment and if we let sewer flowing everywhere, it scares away investors. We had to device a way to lessen the burden on the councils,” he said.

Most if not all councils, he said, were facing serious challenges in attending to sewer bursts, waste management and the health delivery system.

“We understand very well that the money they are collecting from residents is not enough and we have to play a role.

‘‘A good infrastructure, public health system and waste management will go a long way in boosting investor confidence,” he said.