GOVERNMENT has expressed its zeal to save ratepayers’ money by barring local authorities from holding seminars outside their cities and towns, while also threatening to deal with “errant” municipalities, reports Newsday’s Moses Matenga.
Local Government minister Saviour Kasukuwere, said government will not tolerate unnecessary local councils’ expenditure.
“We will not allow unnecessary seminars. It’s enough, no more travelling out of the city,” reported Newsday.
He added that, “They are committee rooms and other facilities to do that locally. If it is in Harare, the seminars should happen in Harare, if it is in Gweru, the same applies. It has to stop now. We are going to be very strict. We won’t tolerate abuse of public funds.”
It still remains unknown how much money will be saved by cancelling outside city seminars, which are normally hosted at luxurious hotels and lodges with council officials getting heft allowances.
However the government says the funds will go towards workers’ salaries and service delivery.
Kasukuwere’s actions replicate the path taken by Tanzanian President, John Magufuli, who upon his appointment announced a swathe of austerity cuts, many of them popular with the electorate.
The cost-cutting measures included restricting “unnecessary” foreign travel by government officials and banning Tanzanian officials from sending out their usual government-printed Christmas and New Year cards as well as scrapping the traditional Independence Day celebrations.
The Minister’s gesture- of barring outside city semesters has been received with caution with some citizens saying the remarks were spot on, but should be replicated across all government ministries.
“All that the minister says is quite commendable and reasonable.If the minister could take similar measures against government departments and force them to settle their debts with local authorities that would be fine.The local authorities are reeling under severe cash flow challenges largely because government departments are the chief culprits when it comes to settling their debts with local authorities,” wrote Vivian Siziba.
Another citizen with the name Mafirakureva said “I commend the move Hon. minister but some local authorities varikutoenda as we speak. On your visits please pass-by Chegutu municipality, vanotoomesa musoro. They are on their way to Bulawayo as we speak apa vashandi havasati vahora mari ya December. Maschool fees evakuru akabhadharwa mheno vamwe hanzi vana vedu vanonodzidza mahara here. There is need for top leadership overhaul together with councilors”.
