MUTARE City Council has resolved to venture into income-generating projects with the local authority expected to construct a service station and set up a water bottling business to boost its revenue.
This was revealed by acting town clerk, Blessing Chafesuka, during council’s 2024 first quarter budget review workshop held in Harare recently.
Chafesuka said implementation of the projects was at an advanced stage.
“We have identified the place for the establishment of the service station. It will be at Sakubva rank and this will be under the Sakubva urban renewal project,” he said.
The local authority was already conducting feasibility studies and will partner the University of Zimbabwe engineering department in the programme.
Under its Pungwe Breweries subsidiary, the council plans to venture into water bottling.
“This is another area which we will embark on. This will be done by Pungwe Breweries so that we have our own bottled water. Some of the equipment is already at the place,” he said.
The local authority plans to effectively utilise idle infrastructure to generate revenue.
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Mutare Residents and Ratepayers Association programmes director, David Mutambirwa applauded the move, adding that it was long overdue.
“The issue of council venturing into income (generating projects) has been long overdue, but, we want to applaud council for this move. This is a positive initiative and we appreciate council for this alternative source of revenue instead of relying on increasing tariffs and service charges,” he said.
Meanwhile, council revenue collection for the first quarter (January-March) was at 65% as businesses, residents and government departments continue to owe the Manicaland provincial capital millions of dollars in unpaid rates and rentals.
