Online Reporter
Herald Reporter
Harare Ward 40 Councillor Knowledge Bote has urged residents to fully embrace the Ward Development Committee (WADCO) as a vehicle for strengthening community participation, coordinating development initiatives and improving service delivery.
Cllr Bote made the call during a feedback and budget consultation meeting held at Glaudina Primary School over the weekend, where residents raised a range of concerns relating to infrastructure, water and sewer services, roads, refuse collection, public lighting, education and other municipal services.
He said an effective development committee would provide residents with a structured platform through which they could collectively engage the City of Harare and other stakeholders on issues affecting the ward.
“Residents must fully embrace WADCO because it gives us a structured platform through which communities can identify their priorities, engage Council and monitor the implementation of agreed projects,” he said.
“Development cannot be achieved by councillors and Council officials alone. We need residents, housing cooperatives, community organisations and other stakeholders to work together so that we can address the challenges facing Ward 40 in a coordinated manner.”
Ward 40 has in recent months been pushing for stronger development structures, with residents previously raising concerns over divisions among housing development groups and the impact these disputes were having on infrastructure development and service delivery.
An interim Ward Development Committee was elected in July, with Cllr Bote assuming the chairmanship, as residents called for an inclusive and development-focused structure.
Cllr Bote said the committee should remain focused on development rather than personalities or political differences.
“We must put the interests of Ward 40 first. Our focus should be on development, accountability and service delivery. WADCO must become a bridge between residents and Council, ensuring that community concerns are properly documented, prioritised and followed up until there is progress,” he said.
Among the major challenges confronting the ward are deteriorating roads and drainage infrastructure, water supply and sewerage challenges, refuse collection, public lighting and the need to regularise some housing developments.
Residents have also previously called for improved educational and health infrastructure, with the provision of a primary school and clinic identified among the ward’s priority capital projects.
Cllr Bote said infrastructure development should remain at the centre of the ward’s engagement with Council.
“Roads remain one of the major issues that residents want addressed, alongside water, sewer, drainage and waste management. We also need to continue pushing for adequate schools and health facilities because Ward 40 has grown and the demand for these services has increased,” he said.
He said the ongoing rehabilitation of Harare’s water infrastructure presented an opportunity to address some of the long-standing challenges in the western suburbs.
The City, working with Helcraw Water, has replaced more than 52 kilometres of water pipelines and installed more than 70 000 smart water meters across Harare. In Dzivarasekwa, ageing asbestos-cement pipes are being replaced with modern PVC pipelines as part of the programme.
“Water is a critical service and we welcome the investment being made in rehabilitating the network. As Ward 40, we will continue engaging the relevant authorities to ensure that the benefits of these interventions reach all communities in the ward,” Cllr Bote said.
He also called on residents to play their part by complying with Council by-laws and supporting efforts to regularise housing developments.
The issue of compliance has been a longstanding concern in parts of Ward 40, with residents previously reporting delays in obtaining compliance certificates and problems arising from developments involving multiple housing cooperatives.
“Residents also have a responsibility to ensure that development takes place in an orderly manner. We must avoid building on areas reserved for roads, water, sewer and drainage infrastructure because this makes it difficult and expensive for Council to provide services,” he said.
Cllr Bote said WADCO would also provide a mechanism for residents to participate meaningfully in budget processes by identifying projects that should receive priority funding.
“We want residents to participate in the budget process and clearly articulate what they need. When priorities are agreed collectively, it becomes easier to engage Council, development partners and other stakeholders and to hold them accountable for implementation,” he said.
He urged residents to attend ward meetings, participate in consultations and work together regardless of differences.
“I want to encourage every resident to see WADCO as their own platform. Whether you are from Glaudina, Nehanda, Vision Park, Area 77, Nenyasha, Marwede or any other part of Ward 40, your voice matters. Our strength will come from working together towards common development objectives,” said Cllr Bote.
The councillor said the ultimate objective was to create a stronger partnership between residents and the local authority in pursuit of sustainable development and improved municipal services.
“Let us move away from divisions and concentrate on what brings development to our communities. If residents and Council work together through a properly functioning development committee, we can make meaningful progress in improving Ward 40,” he said.
The call comes as Harare continues to encourage greater community participation in local governance and budget consultations, with residents expected to identify priority projects and engage Council on service-delivery challenges.
