Paida Mukono
CHIREDZI – The Lowveld Youth Development Services Association (LYDSA) last week rejected the Chiredzi’s 2017 draft budget at a consultative budget meeting held in Tshovani saying the draft does not create new revenue streams for the town.
Aleck Macharaga, the youth organisation’s chairman for Chiredzi ward 4, said the budget lacks provisions for projects that will bring new revenue to the council.
He said authorities must have explored other avenues of earning new revenue rather than rely solely on residents’ water bills.
“Council should consider other possible ways that can bring revenue to Chiredzi for instance the Chitsanga Hall where people used to come and pay to watch movies every Thursdays. We also have swimming pools that need renovations for them to attract paying swimmers,” Macharaga.
Another member of the LYDSA, Lloyd Simango also criticised the budget saying it does not provide for infrastructural upgrades and renovations.
“Let’s not rely on water revenue alone because, after all, proposed improvements of the Magwaza water systems in previous budgets have yielded nothing. Council has been budgeting for that project for a long time now but no change has been made. We are tired of empty promises,” said Simango.
Other young people who attended the meeting also criticised council plans to lease Chigarapasi beer hall saying the move would deprive the town of an important revenue source and worsen service delivery.
“Council should renovate Chigarapasi beer hall so that it regains its status as a thriving business that make money and pay the salaries of workers. We must follow the contemporary trends and install new technologies there; people no longer want to watch a soccer match on a small screen,” said one attendant.news
