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Conrad Mupesa
Mashonaland West Bureau
Sanyati Rural District Council has acquired motorbikes for all its 18 councillors in a bid to improve their mobility.
The motorbikes were sourced using the local authority’s own funds.
Sanyati RDC chief executive officer Mr Archim Shadaya told The Herald recently that they decided to buy the motorbikes after noting the challenges that some councillors faced when covering their wards and travelling to the council’s offices for official business.
“We have taken in 18 motorbikes. Every ward councillor has been handed over the motorcycle, which is expected to address their mobility challenges. The purchase was made using money from council’s own coffers raised through revenue collections,” he said.
Being a rural district council whose wards are bigger compared to those in urban areas, Mr Shadaya said councillors were forced to walk for up to 25km to attend to ward issues.
Similarly, they had transport challenges to travel to and from council head and sub-offices. Council chairperson Mr Patson Chakauya said the councillors funded their own driving lessons.
He added that the procurement of the motorcycles had made life easier for councillors, especially those with disabilities.
“The motorbikes were procured so that councillors are able to reach all corners of their wards, spreading the gospel of development in line with the Government’s Vision 2030 of an upper middle income society.
“We have councillors with disabilities who can now travel across their wards using the motorcycles. So the development has helped us,” he said.
Mr Chakauya added that there had been improved interaction between the councillors and people in their wards, resulting in service delivery improvements. Ward 6 councillor, Mr Tsunga Matare, who has walking challenges since he is disabled, said he now covers his ward without difficulties. Mrs Tryfoce Chifombo, Ward 9 councillor, thanked the local authority for procuring the motorbikes.
Sanyati RDC has addressed water provision, health and education issues in the area using devolution funds availed by Government.
Online Reporter