Chronicle Editor
Wilbrought Ndlovu, Sunday News Reporter
THE Gokwe Town Council has aimed at transforming and developing the town with a number of projects being implemented that include road constructions, rehabilitation of water and sewer reticulation as well as the construction of classroom blocks in various schools.
This was revealed by the local authority’s public and relations officer, Mr Brian Kapfumvuti who noted that they were in the process of constructing roads at the town centre and have also managed to drill solarised boreholes in the communities to sustain people with water.
“The council is working on the town centre roads where we have so far applied base one, which is the gravelling of the roads to cushion residents from serious flooding of roads during the rainy season. Council is also doing sport gravelling of roads site which are water ways.
“Zimbabwe National Water Authority (Zinwa) is the sole provider of water in Gokwe town but the council knowing its mandate to provide residents with key services, we have sunk six solarised boreholes to compliment Zinwa providing water. For water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) the council is in the final construction stage of a pay toilet at the bus terminus,” said Mr Kapfumvuti.
The town’s public relations officer (PRO) also revealed that after the completion of Mapfungautsi poly clinic they were in the process of equipping the clinic’s maternity wing.
“In social services, council completed and furnished two classroom blocks at Vision Kunashe Primary School. It is also in the process of opening up of a truckers’ inn at Kambashu Business Centre to ease congestion in the town centre and progress is under as roads linking to the trucker’s inn are also being worked on. The council has also completed Mapfungautsi Poly Clinic in 2022 and we are now in the process of equipping the maternity wing to easy travelling distance of expecting mothers from Mapfungautsi to Gokwe General Hospital,” he said.
Mr Kapfumvuti noted that the town council had recently conducted a Strategic Planning review workshop which emphasised on the council’s five year strategic plan, which comes to an end in 2025, noting that it was guided by Government’s Vision 2030 and given impetus by National Development strategy 1 (NDS1).
“The Strategic Plan is a product of practical inclusivity through wide consultation of residents, Residents Associations, councillors, council employees, business community, Government departments, informal sector traders, youth, women and people with disabilities. The plan is also compliant to Integrated Results-Based Management (IRBM). The Vision of the Town is to be a modernised municipality with high quality services by 2025,” he said.
In terms of major projects to be undertaken in 2024, Mr Kapfumvuti said they include the construction and furnishing of four classrooms at Nyaradza Primary School, upgrading the town’s bus rank into a state-of-the -art rank with a paved surface, designated bays and multi-purpose tuck shops, to bring sanity to the informal sector.
“Council has an ambitious project of constructing three state-of-the -art market sheds each accommodating over 50 trading stalls. The council is also seized with bringing a lasting solution to villages within town boundaries by having the signing memorandums of understanding with people in Mpinda, Musauki and Ghodi villages.
“Roads rehabilitation is also a key project which council is committing to work on in 2024. Council also commits to drilling more solar-powered boreholes to supplement water provided by Zinwa to put an end to water shortages. Gokwe Town also commits to the procurement of medical equipment for Mapfungautsi poly clinic and opening of Promise medical clinic, services such as maternity will be offered at Mapfungautsi Polyclinic come 2024. Council also commits to housing delivery by embarking over 200 stands for sale in 2024. Items of recreational facilities, the council commits to upgrading of Nyaradza Stadium in 2024 by putting water, ablution facilities and change rooms,” he added.
Online Reporter