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By Dennis Ndlovu| Zim GBC News<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Infrastructure, health financing, and devolution dominated the 2026 budget debate in the National Assembly on Wednesday, with committee chairs demanding clearer financial commitments and the Speaker cracking down on repetitive contributions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The Minister of Finance, Prof. Mthuli Ncube faced detailed appeals from portfolio committees for increased allocations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Hon.Tawanda Karikoga, Chair of the Transport and Infrastructure Committee, highlighted a funding gap for water infrastructure, telling Parliament.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThe issue of the inland water infrastructure budget, where an additional $843 million was needed,\u201d he said<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Health sector funding was also scrutinized, with the Health Committee representative Hon. Descent Bajila pushes for adherence to the Abuja Declaration target of 15% of the budget to health.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
In response, Minister Ncube explained the government\u2019s accounting method.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThe way we have calculated this 15% of Abuja targets is, we take what is coming directly to the Ministry. The extra 2% is coming from other ministries and departments that also look after health issues,\u201d he said<\/p>\n\n\n\n
On local governance, the Chair of the Local Government Committee, Hon. Maxmore Njanji called for more support for traditional leaders, a point the Minister acknowledged<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThe one thing that the report raised is the budget for the Council of Chiefs. The request is that this budget should be raised. We will look into that during the Committee Stage,\u201d he also said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Despite the friction, the Minister assured that key infrastructure projects such as Kunzvi and Gwayi-Shangani Dams and health sector arrears were prioritized, concluding.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWe have taken note of all of these, and the budget will do likewise,\u201d noted Njanji<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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