adminIn an interview yesterday, the local authority’s chief executive officer, Mr Albert Mbedzi said the project, which will be implemented next year, was one of the major capital projects to be undertaken during 2012.
The council recently unveiled a $3,7 million budget for next year whose main thrust is to finance infrastructural development in the district. The council generates most of its revenue from unit tax, cattle sales levy, trophy and hunting fees, business licences and lease rentals.
“We intend to service at least 400 residential and commercial stands in Lutumba and we have budgeted $1,7 million for the project, which will largely be funded through money from the PSIP.
“In fact, we are now waiting for Zinwa to complete the connection of water pipes before we can start work on the project,” he said.
Mr Mbedzi said some of the major capital projects which the council planned to work on next year include the rehabilitation of rural roads and the reconstruction of classroom blocks at schools whose infrastructure was destroyed by storms.
“We want to revive our road maintenance unit because most of our roads are impassable and as council, we have set aside money to purchase two tractors and other road maintenance equipment such as a motorised grader,” he said.
Mr Mbedzi said plans were also underway to develop water reticulation systems under the emergency water and sanitation programme for rural clinics.
“We have several projects under the water and sanitation programme which we intend to embark on in the district.
“Our focus is also on schools where we will construct classroom blocks at Shashe and Mapani as well as other schools in the district particularly those which were damaged by strong winds. We will also refurbish Malungudzi High School since we want to set up a low cost boarding facility that would largely cater for the surrounding communities,” he said.
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