Story by Courage Bushe
THE Mberengwa community has called on the Government to prioritise infrastructure development in the 2026 National Budget, highlighting the need for improved bridges, roads, clinics, and service delivery facilities.
This follows five days of Parliament-led budget consultations that concluded in Mberengwa on Friday, where infrastructure emerged as one of the most pressing concerns.
Residents said the poor state of roads and bridges has hindered mobility, trade, and access to essential services, particularly during the rainy season.
“Issue of bridges, like the one at Jeka, we ask it to be a permanent feature. We also have the one at Nyorooro, which connects the Mpesi area, it is in a bad state. Learners are affected during the rainy season. It seems funding is not being channelled correctly,” a community member said.
“We also ask for an increase in pensioners’ funds and those living with disabilities. May the government also consider the rehabilitation of the West Nicholson Road, which is going to be economically viable. It is the shorter route to South Africa,” another stated.
“Drug rehabilitation centres are also crucial at the district level. Also, our clinics are few, and there is a shortage of medication, which puts our lives at risk,” a community member said.
Parliamentary Portfolio Committee on Budget and Finance Member, Honourable Tanatsiwa Mukomberi expressed satisfaction with the turnout and robust contributions from the public.
“We are in the budget formulation season, where we are conducting public hearings. We are gathering views from the public on what they prioritise to be included in the budget for the coming year, 2026. During this week, we started on Monday, and today is October 10, when we are finalising our budget consultations. On Monday, Team B which I am leading, started in Epworth and Chitungwiza for Harare province, then we conducted a public hearing in Murombedzi, which is in Mashonaland West. On Wednesday, we were at Patchway, yesterday, Thursday, we were at Muchakata, which is in Midlands and today we are finalising at Masase and there was a large gathering. This is a fundamental process, where we are moving with the President’s mantra of leaving no one and no place behind in achieving the aspirations of Vision 2030.”
Findings from the consultation are expected to be tabled before the Parliament for consideration.
