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Thupeyo Muleya Beitbridge Bureau
THE Ministry of Local Government, Public Works and National Housing has approved Beitbridge Town Council’s 2016 $8,8 million budget that will see tariffs remaining unchanged.

The council’s town secretary Loud Ramakgapola said they received confirmation of the budget’s approval from the Ministry last Thursday afternoon.

He said this year they were looking at increasing revenue collection by 60 percent.

He said the bulk of the $8, 8 million budget, $2, 7 million, will be channelled towards major capital projects: construction of a new bus terminus, building a laboratory at Vhembe High School, procuring a paving machine as well as construction of a town council workshop and setting up of modern flea market stalls, among others.

Other proposed projects are the upgrading of Dulibadzimu Stadium, setting up of a satellite clinic in the Garikayi/ Hlalani Kuhle area, construction of a primary school and the installation of prepaid water meters.

“We’re expecting a total income of $8,882,180,60 and an expenditure of $8,871,189,31 with a surplus of $10,991.29,” he said.

Ramakgapola said general expenses were expected to chew around $4,5 million and $1,7million would go towards employee costs, constituting 19 percent of the total budget.

He said the government had commended them for ensuring that their books were audited within the set time frame.

The town secretary said residents owed them for rendered services, a situation that had seen them failing to honour their obligations with the Zimbabwe National Water Authority, among others.

“It’s of paramount importance that we pay up for services and rates if we’re to move forward towards our quest to urbanisation” he said.

He said the local authority was open to public private partnerships in areas around infrastructure development and other major projects.

“As one of the fastest growing urban centres in the country, Beitbridge is endowed with a number of investment opportunities” he said.