Beitbridge RDC revises budget to US$8,2m

Thupeyo Muleya

Beitbridge Bureau

Beitbridge Rural District Council is revising its budget for the year, increasing it from US$5,2 million to US$8,2 million following an additional allocation for devolution projects from the Government.

This new budget seeks to enhance service delivery and stimulate development in line with the “A Call to Action” initiative, which was launched by President Mnangagwa recently.

Acting Beitbridge chief executive officer, Mr Peter Ncube, confirmed the updated budget in a statement yesterday.

“We have revised our total budget to US$8,296,611.03 after receiving an additional ZiG24 817 900, equivalent to US$4 992 716 in devolution funds,” he said.

The additional funds will be directed towards several key projects, including the construction of waiting mothers’ shelters at selected clinics, the development of clinics, the construction of Lutumba Stadium, and enhancements in water and sanitation programmes.

The council also plans to establish more Early Childhood Development (ECD) centres across the districts.

The budget revision aligns with President Mnangagwa’s recently launched local authorities blueprint aimed at improving service delivery, which was introduced in November last year.

The blueprint outlines the Government’s commitment to achieving an upper middle-income economy by 2030, emphasizing that local authorities must provide services consistent with this goal.

In presenting the budget, Finance and Audit Committee chairperson, Councillor Luka Ndou, noted that extensive consultations were conducted across all 15 wards to gather input from stakeholders.

“The distribution on governance and administration, US$1 826 654.94 (34,62 percent), water sanitation and hygiene US$209 825,97 (3.98 percent), social services US$2 479 066,87 (46.98 percent), roads US$575 203,85 (10,90 percent), public safety and security services US$130 106,40 (2,47 percent) and natural resources conservation and management US$56 140 (1,06 percent),” said Clr Ndou.

“When compared to the 2024 budget, the total revenue for the 2025 financial year has decreased significantly. This is a result of a decrease in fiscal grant allocation. We expect to collect USD 2 699 655.03 through levies, fees and service charges”.

On expenditure, Clr Ndou said they intend to use US$2 835 611.87 on capital expenditure, general expenditure US$863 958.83, employees’ compensation US$1 070 140.25, maintenance US$413 273,18 and repairs US$94 013,90.

He said the tariff income will finance 51 percent of the 2025 budget while the remaining 49 percent will be financed through external funding, particularly fiscal grants.

“You will note that the 2025 tariff setting is based on a cost recovery basis and therefore cost build up scenarios have been clearly articulated in this budget. Fines are, thus, robust enough to motivate ratepayers to meet their obligations to the Council,” said Clr Ndou.

“The council is not proposing to increase tariffs to avoid over stretching residents, but is introducing fines as per the two approved by-laws i.e. the advertising as well as the environmental and natural resources by-laws,” he said.

“On capital expenditure we have made allocations to the following: Motorised grader US$180 000; Bridge construction US$60 000, one Tipper truck US$76 800; Three clinics US$260 000; Two waiting mothers’ shelters US$78,560; Classroom blocks and staff houses US$447 880; Bridge construction US$60 000; Road construction US$120 000, dam scooping US$102 400.00; weir repairs US$45 000, drainage culverts US$50 000.”

The council has also developed investment profiles to attract both domestic and international investors, aimed at leveraging its natural resource assets for economic growth.

Clr Ndou highlighted the integration of gender mainstreaming in the budget, which seeks to address disparities in communities.

To tackle water supply challenges, the council has set an ambitious target of establishing at least 240 community boreholes by 2028, demonstrating its commitment to improving essential services for the Beitbridge community.