adminProsper Ndlovu Senior Reporter
THE Bulawayo City Council should align itself with the development thrust of the new Zanu-PF Government and prioritise efficient service delivery, the newly appointed Minister of State for Provincial Affairs in Bulawayo Cde Eunice Nomthandazo Moyo said. In an interview at her offices at the Mhlahlandlela Government Complex on Friday, Cde Moyo said the development of the city was hinged on the operations of council and challenged the new councillors, drawn from MDC-T, and their stakeholders to work towards a common goal of restoring Bulawayo’s former glory.
“A lot of work lies ahead of us as we strive to revitalise Bulawayo. President Mugabe has clearly shown his commitment to the development of Bulawayo whose industries need to be revived. As a Minister of State in the province I will engage all stakeholders so that together we find solutions to challenges facing the city.
“Council must deliver in line with the Government’s thrust which is to empower the people as well as improve service delivery. Whenever councillors meet they should prioritise people’s welfare,” said Cde Moyo.
The former Senator for Bulilima and Mangwe and Zanu-PF Politburo member, Cde Moyo, said the challenges facing Bulawayo included closure of industries, water shortages, and shortage of accommodation.
Said Cde Moyo: “Bulawayo people must know that we can only overcome these challenges if we work as a team with a shared vision. My task will be to coordinate all ministries as well as engage all stakeholders.
“My office is open to everyone who has ideas to do with Bulawayo’s development regardless of one’s political affiliation. Development of Bulawayo demands collective effort.”
Cde Moyo said she had already met the Minister of Environment, Water and Climate, Cde Saviour Kasukuwere, who assured her that pumping of water from Mtshabezi Dam will be at full throttle in order to ease the water-shedding.
She said the closure of Bulawayo industries which was caused mainly by the illegal sanctions, was a major challenge but the new Zanu-PF Government had made a commitment to finding solutions.
Cde Moyo said big companies and parastatals like the Cold Storage Company (CSC) should take the lead in revamping Bulawayo’s economy as a number of downstream industries depended on such big companies.
She said a vibrant local industry would reduce imports that have flooded the local market.
“It is saddening to have Bulawayo saturated with imported goods including chickens and mealie-meal. Local producers should fill this void thereby creating employment,” said Cde Moyo.
She said council should revive arts and craft centres, youth and women’s clubs as well as vocational training centres, which used to equip residents with survival skills.
Cde Moyo expressed concern over the leasing of council beergardens, saying the decision was against the interests of residents whose social services used to be funded by money generated from beergardens.
Turning to housing, Cde Moyo said she was going to engage Bulawayo Mayor Councillor Martin K Moyo and the Town Clerk, Mr Middleton Nyoni with a view to finding ways of urgently addressing the issue of accommodation shortages.
She said there was a need to drastically reduce the city’s housing backlog which is estimated to be more than 100 000.
She said she was aware of the complaints of poor health services provided by the city’s hospitals and clinics which were largely blamed on shortage of resources.
Cde Moyo said she would engage Dr David Parirenyatwa, the Minister of Health and Child Care with a view to finding solutions to challenges facing the health institutions.
Online Reporter