Brian Rungano Temba
Representatives of the Parliamentary Portfolio Committee on Budget, Finance and Economic Development today confirmed that modalities are in place for the beginning of a national budgets sensitisation campaign.
The Committee will be holding parliamentary budget sensitization meetings with citizens across Zimbabwe starting with Norton next week.
Director in the Parliament Budget office, Pepukai Chirove confirmed this in a Post 2021 National Budget Sensitisation Webnair that was hosted by Zimpapers Television Network.
“To improve confidence in government Minister of Information Publicity and Broadcasting Services, Hon Sen Monica Mutsvangwa has been delegated to present post cabinet briefings to the fourth estate on the policies passed by cabinet.
” This is meant for citizens and local businesses to be informed on the direction government will be moving so they stay guided,” said Chivore.
Chivore said ministries are submitting NDS_1 compliant action plans which assist local business to plan their year with this information as template.
Also in attendance during the Webinar was Movement for Democratic Change – Tsvangirai (MDC-T) Vice president Hon. Dr. Thokozani Khupe who agreed that the campaigns will inform the citizens of Zimbabwe on the are the as that government has funded and the necessary changes made in each area to ensure efficiency.
“As Government, we have set aside in the budget USD$ 37.5 million for Women development through the Women’s Bank.
We also set aside 37.5 million for Youths through Empower bank and 37.5 million for War Veterans through Venture Fund,” said Dr Khupe.
She also said that arrangements are being made to facilitate public facilities and utilities such as the Zimbabwe United Passenger Company (ZUPCO) buses, to be accessible to Zimbabweans living with disabilities. These adjustments will be funded by National Treasury.
“Government is making necessary adjustments to public transport to accommodate the disabled,” she said. People with disabilities make 10 per cent of the population of Zimbabwe.
Hon Ability Gandawa also added that government is making adjustments in the agriculture industry to support the budget allocated there.
He said Zimbabwe National Revenue Authority (ZINWA) has been mandated by the government to collect tax on the same currency the trader deals in.
“Amongst recommendations made is the restructuring of Agribank to support small farmers who have delivered grain consistently since 1980,” said Hon Gandawa.
He also mentioned that the sensitization campaign will inform the business community and clients alike of the government stance on tax remittances.
Tax collection by ZIMRA to be simplified.
Government revenue coffers are affected by local businesses which pay tax in Zimbabwean dollars while charging for goods and services in US dollars. This inversely weighs heavily on civil servants who earn a salary in local currency,” added Hon Gandawa.
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