BULAWAYO Long-suffering residents are delighted with the local authoritys recent announcement that it will not increase rates and tariffs this year.The Bulawayo City Council has said that it will maintain last years budget for 2010 after citing macroeconomic stability as the main reason for the restoration of the previous budget.
Residents who spoke to The Zimbabwean expressed satisfaction over the maintenance of the current tariffs and rates, noting that this sould make it possible for them to continue paying their rent.
We are still trying to find stability with using foreign currency and hiking the rates would have created a big dent in our pockets. This is a commendable move that will go a long way in alleviating out plight, said Noreen Lunga.
Lunga said many residents were still unable to pay rent and an increase would have made the state of affairs at the city council worse.
We have heard reports from the council that they are cash strapped because of the failure by the people of Bulawayo to pay rent, she said.
But some residents warned that the decision not to raise the rates should not be an excuse for the council to neglect repairs and renovations in Bulawayo.
There are lot of repairs that need to be carried out and the renewal of the budget should not be an excuse for Council to neglect urgent repairs and renovations. There is need for Council to ensure that the 2010 budget will bring a difference in the finances of the city, said Daniel Ndebele.
He called on the residents to also pay their rent in 2010 noting, that failure by residents to pay rentals in 2009 had resulted in the loss of revenue by Council and had also limited the carrying out of outstanding renovations in the city.
Post published in: News