City to service land for SMEs

Rumbidzayi Zinyuke Manicaland Bureau
Mutare City Council is seeking partners to fund the construction of infrastructure to house small to medium enterprises operating in the city.

Speaking at a recent budget consultation meeting, acting director of housing Mrs Rophina Nyamangodo said council had set aside $19 000 in next year’s budget to service land for SMEs but did not have the capacity to put up infrastructure.

“The $19 000 catered for in the budget is meant for servicing the industrial area set aside for SMEs. It is for putting in sewer and roads but for the infrastructure, council is not able to fund that.

“So we are coming up with ways to find partners who will help us in putting up the infrastructure. The beneficiaries are supposed to engage in a Build Operate and Transfer (BOT) programme so they will be put in groups of six to put up the structures,” she said.

She said council wanted structures for SMEs in Mwamuka area (Sakubva) and Area 14 Chikomo Tavern in Dangamvura.

Mrs Nyamangodo said the beneficiaries would be allowed to operate for five years and return the structures to council after recouping their expenses.

She said the structures would then be put on lease rentals.

She said was also currently seized with rehabilitating vending sites to ensure that all vendors in the city worked from proper structures at designated sites.

In Sakubva, council partnered the Zimbabwe Consolidated Diamond Company for the construction of a vegetable market.