COMMUNITY groups have gone for five months without receiving their allowances despite the Bulawayo City Council (BCC) reporting an improvement in revenue collection.
In its latest council report, the council financial director Kimpton Ndimande indicated that the local authority was now collecting up to 70 percent of the total billing.
“Suburbs like Makokoba and Pumula were collecting more revenue in foreign currency,” read the council report.
Reacting to the report, ward 3 councillor, Silas Chigora said the improved cash flows should also indicate improvements in terms of service delivery
“He mentioned that Community groups had not been paid for the last 5 months,” read the report.
Ward 6 councillor, Tawanda Ruzive also noted that almost 98 percent of the total income had been allocated to the engineering services department.
“He wanted to know if the Council had any plans of acquiring new equipment.” said the report.
In response, Ndimande said a few capital equipment had been acquired and there would be improved service delivery in the near future.
“Acquisition of equipment was a very long process as it relied on borrowing capital funds. Council was trying to balance up the ratio between service delivery and staff remuneration,” said Ndimande.
The Director of Engineering Services, Engineer Simela Dube also explained that various advertisements of equipment had been published.
“Council was looking forward to acquiring a JCB excavator, a grader and 15 motor vehicles; the revenue from the 77 Selborne Park stands and devolution funds would be used. Currently, the Council could not borrow,” said Engineer Dube.
BCC chamber secretary, Sikhangele Zhou said as revenue collection improved more resources would be allocated to service delivery as the salary arrears had been cleared and the figures were showing payments of arrears and the current salaries.
“The community groups will be paid as soon as the issues relating to the rates have been attended,” said Zhou.
