MARTIN MAWAYA
Gweru Residents and Ratepayers Association (GRRA) has urged the City Council to enhance transparency and inclusive participation in its budget formulation process.
Speaking during a budget dialogue meeting with local opinion leaders yesterday, GRRA executive director Cornelia Selipiwe said residents should have a greater say in prioritizing needs and voicing their concerns during budget preparation.
“Greater involvement in budget formulation is not just a right; it’s a necessity for the development of our community,” Selipiwe said.
The GRRA official also implored the local authority to provide residents with a draft budget prior to public hearings, allowing citizens to thoroughly analyze the proposal and provide meaningful input.
“Budget analysis will enable citizens to identify their needs and ensure that local authority funding aligns with community priorities,” Selipiwe explained.
Additionally, Selipiwe stressed that budget tracking and public participation can improve transparency and foster accountability within the local government.
“When residents are actively engaged, we can hold our leaders accountable, and this leads to better governance,” he asserted.
GRRA programs officer Fadzai Kanyai emphasized the need for residents to identify key priorities for the 2025 budget, “ensuring that urgent issues are addressed and can be monitored throughout the year”.
The call for Increased transparency and citizen participation is part of GRRA’s “Strengthening Institutions and People Participation in Public Finance (SIPPP)” project, which aims to enhance citizen involvement in the budgeting process and improve service delivery, particularly in the health and education sectors.
According to the Zimbabwe Coalition on Debtors and Development (ZIMCODD), equitable allocation of resources to these two critical sectors is essential for human development and accessing quality services.
