MARTIN MAWAYA
GWERU-The City of Gweru is owed ZW$12,2billion in unpaid rates and other services by residents, COMPANIES AND Government institutions.
The development has seen the local authority taking the legal route in a bid to recover the debts to improve service delivery which has been heavily affected by lack of funds.
Council spokesperson, Vimbai Chingwaramusee told The Midweek Watch that industry and commerce owe the local authority ZW$8,6billion while the residents owe ZW$3,6 billion.
“We are owed ZW$12.2 billion. We have been encouraging residents to pay their bills but this has fallen on deaf ears, hence we have taken the legal route, which has caused noise on social media platforms. We are an open council and we encourage our clients to make payment plans,” she said.
She added that the local authority collected ZW$6,2 billion in the first quarter of 2023 against the total billing of ZW$10.1 billion, reflecting a 61% of revenue collection.
Chingwaramusee said the city of progress will continue to build internal efficiencies so that it remains buoyant.
In addition, Chingwaramusee highlighted that the Midlands capital has adopted new strategies of generating revenue instead of relying on ratepayers only.
“Going forward as a local authority we have since realized that relying on our old engine of revenue from clients is not doing us justice, hence the need for us to strategize and focus on income generating business ventures to fund council business.
“For that to be a success we have employed an Economic and Business Development manager to hammer the business deals. We have already flighted tender adverts for our quarry mine and recycling waste water to energy. We are also calling investors to come through to the city for investment opportunities,” said Chingwaramusee.
She noted that the outlook remains bright as Council has been able to maintain respectable quality service delivery on all fronts albeit under difficult circumstances.
She added that the local authority “will this year end honoring the residents, clients and stakeholders who pay their bills on time,” she added.
