By Takudzwa Josiah
Women attending the 2023 Pre-budget consultations have urged the treasury to ensure the transport sector and authorities that supply water to residents get adequate allocations in the 2023 budget to ensure the problems in the two sectors are addressed.
Speaking at a budget consultation hearing residents said a significant amount must be allocated to improving the country’s transport sector and bringing an end to transport problems that have haunted the commuting public.
Transport problems have become a norm in the country’s major cities, the situation has created opportunities for the illegal pirate taxis (mushikashika), which often get into cat and mouse games with the police putting the lives of passengers at risk.
Women also called on fiscal authorities to allocate a sizeable amount to improving the water supply situation and bring an end to water problems that have haunted the public in urban areas.
Water woes remain a major challenge in urban centres, with women bearing the brunt and spending hours in water queues at community boreholes and at times other unsafe water sources.
Women with Disabilities said their issues also need to be addressed in the 2023 budget and a significant amount must be allocated to ensure issues like infrastructure, education, and entrepreneurship are bankrolled and benefit the PWDs.
They highlighted that many projects have been lined up but never come to fruition because of financial constraints.
PARLIAMENT this week began nationwide pre-budget consultations for the 2023 national budget.
As directed by the Constitution (section 141) which obligates Parliament to carry out public hearings on Bills and the budget to ensure inclusivity and to capture people’s views. The consultations will run from October 3 to 7.
