Rutendo Nyeve
THE Parliamentary Portfolio Committee on Budget, Finance and Investment Promotion has begun nationwide consultations for the 2027 National Budget in Victoria Falls, with residents urging Government to allocate significant funding towards the rehabilitation of the Bulawayo-Victoria Falls Road.
The committee is led by Entumbane-Njube Member of Parliament, Prince Dube.
The Victoria Falls meeting, however, recorded a low turnout, but those who attended made strong submissions on how the national purse should be spent.
Residents said the dilapidated road, a key tourism and trade corridor, needs urgent attention because it connects Zimbabwe’s premier resort city to Bulawayo and the rest of the country.
They argued that improved road infrastructure would boost tourism, trade and investment.
They also called on Treasury to prioritise critical social sectors such as health and education, saying clinics, hospitals and schools require adequate funding to improve service delivery.
Furthermore, residents appealed for the establishment of industries in Victoria Falls to diversify the local economy and create jobs.
They said the town should take advantage of abundant water from the Zambezi River to support manufacturing, agro-processing and other value-adding ventures rather than relying mainly on tourism.
Prince Dube said the consultations were part of Parliament’s constitutional duty to gather public views before the budget statement is presented.
“This process is a constitutional obligation that seeks to get the views of the people before the budget statement is announced,” he said.
“We are happy with the contributions made by the residents of Victoria Falls.”
The committee is expected to visit other provinces to collect submissions that will inform its recommendations ahead of the 2027 budget.
Source: Residents call for Bulawayo-Victoria Falls Road rehabilitation – herald
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