adminLoveness Mpofu, Sunday News Reporter
RESIDENTS in Cowdray Park have appealed to the Bulawayo City Council to construct bridges in the area as the rainy season has started making some roads impassable.
The residents who live in Garikai/Hlalani Kuhle residential stands- Segment 8 said every rainy season, their area becomes impassable because of stream flooding making it difficult for them to link with shops, schools, clinics and main road to town.
A resident from Cowdray Park, Mr Albert Ndlovu said they wanted council to link the area by constructing bridges.
“There are about 400 houses in Segment 8 of Cowdray Park which are likely to be affected. The council has not helped us over the years. We approached the councillor and he promised that he is going to look into the issue. We are urging BCC to construct bridges as a matter of agency as rains have started,” he said.
Cowdray Park Councillor Collet Ndhlovu said council was aware of the problem but blamed residents for failing to pay for the development of the area.
“I had a meeting with the residents two weeks back and encouraged them to pay. They should pay so that the development takes place. As they are beneficiaries, they are not paying rent and rates to the council and what they need to pay is the $15 a month. Every household should pay the fee so that we can use that as deposit to secure a loan,” he said.
In February residents could not access the flooded main road leading to Garikai/Hlalani Kuhle housing scheme. Enterprising young men were now carrying people on their backs to cross the streams for a fee. — @lvydvy1
derick.khumalo