BY OBERT SIAMILANDU GWERU City Council says a massive brain drain across departments has left yawning gaps in the local authority.
Speaking during a pass-out of firefighters on Monday, Gweru mayor Hamutendi Kombai said firefighters only serve for a short time then seek greener pastures abroad.
“The issue of brain drain has affected our city right, left and centre,” Kombayi said.
“Trained personnel is leaving council for greener pastures in search of better fortunes and this has affected council operations.”
Some graduating fire fighters who spoke to Southern Eye said they hoped to get jobs soon.
A total of 18 firefighters, comprising four females graduated from the 3rd Parole Firefighters Training programme which runs for six months.
In an unrelated issue, Silobela Member of Parliament Mthokozisi Manoki Mpofu (Zanu PF) decried the measly Constituency Development Fund allocations from the Finance ministry.
Mpofu said the money was being quickly eroded by inflation before meaningful projects are implemented.
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In the 2022 national budget, Treasury allocated $2,4 billion to the 210 constituencies in the country, which translates to $11,4 million per constituency.
“The $11,4 million has lost value, which makes it difficult to complete the earmarked projects in the constituency,” Mpofu said.
Local currency has been affected by high inflation rates in the country that are 191,6%, while local currency is trading at $400 to the United States dollar at the official bank rate and $800 on the parallel market.
- Follow Obert on Twitter@osiamilandu
