Online Reporter
Nqobile Bhebhe, [email protected]
BUBI Rural District Council is seeking to borrow US$300 000 to finance the purchase of a water drilling rig and service vehicles as it moves to strengthen service delivery across the district.
The proposed investment is expected to improve access to safe and reliable water supplies in rural communities while enhancing the council’s capacity to respond to infrastructure maintenance needs.
According to the local authority, the water rig will be used to drill new boreholes and repair existing ones, improving water availability for communities and livestock, particularly in areas facing recurrent water shortages.
The service vehicles will enable technical personnel to access remote wards more efficiently for routine maintenance, emergency response and supervision of development projects.
The council said the investment was in line with its broader development agenda and efforts to improve the delivery of essential public services.
“This investment aligns with the council’s strategic goal of improving basic services in all 23 wards and to achieve the 2030 Mantra,” council said.
In line with statutory requirements governing local authority borrowing, residents, community groups and organisations have been given a 14-day window, from August 1 to August 14, to lodge objections to the proposed loan.
The council said all objections received during the consultation period would be formally considered before any decision is made on the borrowing proposal.
“All objections will be acknowledged, reviewed and tabled before full Council’s Finance Committee. Objections may be shared with Banc ABC (the lender) and other relevant authorities (eg Ministry of Local Government) as part of the due diligence process.
“Objectors will be notified of the final decision after the Council meeting where the loan is considered.”
