The Bulawayo City Council (BCC) is intensifying efforts to recover about ZiG2 251 953 owed by residents and ratepayers as the mounting arrears continue to hamper service delivery.
Bulawayo has struggled for years to provide adequate services, including water and sewage reticulation, road rehabilitation and refuse collection.
BCC representative Pamela Dube highlighted the city’s financial challenges during a stakeholder meeting held recently in ward 12.
“The outstanding amounts remain a major challenge affecting service delivery,” she said.
Dube urged residents to settle their bills on time to avoid tough debt recovery measures.
She said the local authority was implementing measures to modernise operations as it pursued its vision of becoming a smart and sustainable city by 2030.
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As part of the initiative, council plans to introduce an e-registration system that will enable residents to access municipal services and pay online.
She also emphasised the importance of timely payment to avoid falling foul of council’s debt collection measures.
BCC recently expressed concern over the growing debt owed by ratepayers despite the introduction of a credit and debt management plan that allows flexible payment arrangements.
Finance and development committee chairperson, Councillor Mpumelelo Moyo, said prevailing economic hardships were affecting residents’ ability
to settle their bills.