Residents urged to attend budget meetings

Evidence Chipadza
Gweru Ratepayers and Residents Association (GRRA) has made calls for residents to attend the ongoing budget meetings so that they also add their input in crafting the budget.
Speaking at a social accountability workshop which was held at Gweru Memorial library GRRA Executive Director, Cornelia Selipiwe said residents are obliged to attend the budget meetings without fail.
“You are the people who influence the policies, so these consultations are important for your inputs to be considered as Gweru residents, “said Selipiwe.
There is a complacency history, with low numbers of citizens attending budget meetings. Selipiwe added that poor service delivery affects everyone and it does not leave out anyone.
“People must always encourage each other and also mobilize each other to attend budget consultations because we are all being affected by poor service delivery, “said Selipiwe.
Deputy Mayor Clr Cleopas Shiri said there is a need to engage the residents and also accommodate them in budget processes as the council does not work in isolation.
“If we engage each other on what we are calling challenges, we will figure out that there are no challenges because we might also have solutions. As a local authority we are not working in isolation,” said Shiri.