Harare, Zimbabwe (News of the South)- Norton Ward 2 aspiring independent councillor Dr Godfrey Mugaviri says councils should craft innovative ways to generate finances instead of waiting to collect from rates.
The technocrat, who has been endorsed by current Member of Parliament for Norton Hon Temba Mliswa, has questioned the systems of council which he says require innovation .
“There is the aspect of innovation, finding better ways of doing business.
“Council has been largely relying on the billing system, revenue collection systems, rates but here we have two major bodies of water, Chivero and Darwendale.
“These must give us a competitive advantage (in revenue creation),” he said.
Norton Town Council has been found wanting in terms of revenue allocation with a large percentage of its revenue going towards recurrent expenditures such as salaries whilst service delivery has suffered due to lack of funding.
This has resulted in poor road networks and an acute shortage of water in most areas.
Many residents are having to rely on boreholes drilled by NGO’s and politicians or wells which they dig at their residential places.
This has however increased health hazards rom communicable diseases like cholera.
Dr Mugaviri added that the town is also on need of hubs for crowd sourcing ideas.
“We should have innovation centers where we crowd source for ideas that must help to address the people’s issues.
“There are also people issues, you can’t run a council without involving the people thenselves,” he added.
Dr Mugaviri is set to come up against candidates from MDC-T, ZANU-PF and ZIPP in the 30 July harmonised elections.
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