MASVINGO — THE government owes Masvingo City Council $7 million in unpaid rates and tariffs.
Report by Tatenda Chitagu, Own Correspondent
Masvingo mayor Alderman Femius Chakabuda made the disclosure during the 2013 National Budget stakeholders’ consultative meeting on Monday.
“We are owed $7 million by the government yet the same government expects us to deliver quality service. How can we achieve that?” Chakabuda asked.
He suggested an all-stakeholders’ approach to the water and sewer systems upgrade at local authorities whose systems had been overwhelmed by growing populations.
In response, Willard Manungo, the Finance ministry secretary, said: “It is a big embarrassment, but for the past month there have been talks with relevant stakeholders to try and deal with the issue of debts to local authorities.
“It is something under discussion.”
