Prioritise Resource Availability,Boost Food Security-Karoi Residents Urge Govt
By Criswell Chisango
KAROI,October 7, 2015-Government must priotise resource availability to avoid
doctored information on food security as key component to economic
growth. Contributing during a budget consultation meeting in Karoi on
Monday, Charles Chiripanyanga, a district information officer said due
to lack of resources, some officers give false information especially
on food security and assessment.
“Lack of resources among junior officers on the ground force them to give doctored
information especially on food security. We call upon the Government
to allocate more resources to these key sectors” he said. Karoi
residents were contributing during outreach meeting by Portifolio
committee on Finance and Economic Development chaired by Honourable Munacho
Mutezo in Karoi’s Chikangwe community hall. At least 50 people
attended the public meeting. Hurungwe acting administrator Leornard
Ngirazi called on the Government to fully fund Grain Marketing Board
as Hurungwe district is regarded as breadbasket of the nation but is
inadequately funded.
‘’Many people are getting maize from here but GMB does not pay farmers
on time. That puts off the committment of farmers in food production’’
he added.
Chief Adam Katsvere Chanetsa called on better allocation for food
security as well as traditional leaders are getting the brunt of
looking after those without food.
‘’We want more resources for food security through better funding of
GMB,’’ said Chief Chanetsa.
However some speakers called on the Government to allocate more funds
on healthcare, education, mining and infrastructure development that
is lagging behind.
Hurungwe rural district council Chief Executive Officer Joram Moyo
said there is need for Government to give enough resources to local
authorities as they are on the ground to implement developmental
projects.
‘’All other functions can be properly run only if local authorities
get a fair share of resources as they play critical role in nation
building’’ said Moyo.
Another council official blamed Zimbabwe Revenue Authority, Zimra for
overburdening councils by tax garnish budgeted estimates not the
actual revenue collected.
‘’When Zimra come they want tax on estimate budget even if collected
less than ten percent of the actual budget. We call upon clear cut
policies on tax regime‘’ said Obert Mutenga.
Some residents urged that the meeting was poorly published and it was
ill timed as many are battling to make ends meet due to economic
hardships.
”Very few people can attend such important meetings as we need just
a dollar for families. We cannot attend national budget meetings as
long as my family has nothing for supper’ said Tinaye Mukara of
Chikangwe.
However some said the public meetings were waste of time and resources.
‘’No one will ever listen to us so why bother attending such meetings?
This is another way of wasting the scarce resources in the country as
the Executive does not take anything from the laymen,’’ said a local
businessman who refused to be identified. Hon Mutezo assured those
who attended that the information will be forwarded to relevent
ministry and those who contributed enjoyed parliament immunity and
privilleges.
The committees are holding public gatherings ahead of the 2016 budget
retreat by parliament in Victoria Falls later this month.