Govt approves Beitbridge budget

GOVERNMENT has approved a $6, 2 million budget submitted by Beitbridge Town for 2017.

Tariffs, rates and other services remain unchanged from 2016.

In an interview yesterday, the town secretary, Mr Loud Ramakgapola said the bulk of the budget will be for capital expenditure.

He said the town was expecting to raise about $6, 2 million.

“We received an approval letter from the Minister (Local Government, Public Works and National Housing,Cde Saviour Kasukuwere) on 16 December. The Minister has recommended that we work extra hard to increase our revenue collection rate to more than 50 percent from the 42 percent at present,” he said.

Mr Ramakgapola urged residents and all those who owe council to pay up so that the local authority is able to fund service delivery as well as capital projects.

He said they reduced the budget from $8,8 million in 2016 to $6,2 million in 2017 because they want to set achievable targets.

The town secretary said part of the money in next year’s budget will be channelled towards funding capital projects that included construction of a new bus terminus, laboratory at Vhembe High School, buying earth moving equipment, construction of a town council workshop and setting up of modern flea market stalls.

Other proposed projects, he said, include the upgrading of Dulibadzimu Stadium, setting up a satellite clinic in the Garikayi area, public lighting, putting prepaid water meters and tarring of roads.

“We are happy that our budget has been approved on time, so there will be no excuses for failing to deliver,” said Mr Ramakgapola.

The local authority owes Zinwa around $12 million which it is contesting.

It is also owed about $9 million by residents and other rate payers that include Government departments.