Zimpapers Logo

Midlands Bureau

Redcliff Municipality has started consultations for 2019 budget during which it will propose an upward review to fund various projects, especially those targeted at ending its perennial water problems.

Redcliff Municipality, which has a smaller population and is operating on a shoe-string budget, relies on Kwekwe City Council for its water supplies.

Kwekwe City, however, has its own water challenges and at times rations the water it pumps to Redcliff

Mayor Councillor Clayton Masiyatsva said budget consultations were underway, with most residents highlighting the need to prioritise water and sewer reticulation.

“We started our 2019 budget consultations on Monday and we have already covered several wards.

“Councillors and other stakeholders are in the field interacting with residents and we expect to have completed the consultations by Friday,” said Clr Masiyatsva last week.

“As council, we will prioritise water and sewer reticulation system because in every ward where we have gone, the residents are concerned with the erratic water situation in Redcliff.”

Clr Masiyatsva said the council was proposing a slight increase in the budget from last year’s $8 million, with the bulk of the money channelled towards improving the water situation.

“We are seeking to increase our budget from last year’s $8 million so that we will be able to fund city’s water and sewer reticulation system,” he said.

He said the revenue collections will complement the Government loan that the municipality recently received towards its water project.

“As you know, we recently received $1,8 million fund from Government and we hope to augment that with our own resources to address our water problems.”