adminFortunate Gora Correspondent
Chinhoyi Municipality is far from achieving its dream of attaining city status after a number of gaps were exposed during a budget consultative meeting for stakeholders last week.
Some of the shortcomings highlighted by the stakeholders are poor road maintenance, inadequate ablution facilities, unreliable emergency services, lack of street and traffic lights among others.
The business fraternity challenged the local authority to improve service delivery if it is to attain the city status by December 31.
Businessman Mr Dennis Kagonye pleaded with the local authority to rehabilitate its roads, which were now in bad shape.
“Council also needs to provide adequate water supplies in Chinhoyi,” he said.
The town was experiencing erratic water supplies, which many fear, could expose residents to diseases. A branch manager of a leading retail chain, who requested anonymity, said Chinhoyi had no ablution facility exposing residents to waterborne diseases.
“To make this vision a reality, the local authority need to increase the number of toilets in the town because there is a lot defecation in the open due to the shortage of toilets,” he said.
There are two public toilets in the Chinhoyi CBD and one of the two is a pay toilet which goes for 50 cents.
Councillor for Ward 10 Ishmael Gava Madyavanhu said council should construct some traffic lights and street lights at Sinoia Primary School, saying the area was becoming a danger zone for school children.
“That area is becoming a black spot and school children are at risk,” he said. “It needs urgent attention so that we cannot continue risking the lives of these little ones.”
Meanwhile, Chinhoyi Municipality finance director Mr Zephania Chirarwe said the local authority owes its creditors at least $19m while it’s owed more than $40m.
Online Reporter