Online Reporter
Sukulwenkosi Dube-Matutu, [email protected]
GWANDA Municipality has launched a road rehabilitation and drainage improvement programme following the recent acquisition of earth-moving equipment valued at US$425 000.
The equipment, procured through a partnership between the council and the Zimbabwe National Road Administration (Zinara), includes a motorised grader, roller compactor, and a 20-tonne tipper truck. Zinara contributed US$232 841, while the council injected US$192 158.
This new machinery will enable the municipality to carry out essential service delivery functions such as road maintenance, servicing of residential stands, and relocating the town’s dumpsite, which was condemned over a decade ago.
In addition, Zinara has provided 9 000 litres of diesel to support the road works, while construction company JR Goddard has loaned the council two tractors to assist with road maintenance and refuse collection.
Gwanda mayor, Alderman Thulani Moyo, said the programme is aimed at addressing long-standing service delivery challenges.
“Following the purchase of earth-moving equipment, we have moved to tackle critical issues such as poor roads, drainage and edging. This is a major boost for us as it will enable us to cover much ground. Our vision is to achieve pothole-free roads,” he said.
Alderman Moyo noted that culverts are being constructed in high-density suburbs to divert water away from homes, with plans underway to reinforce them with stonework. Road edging works have also commenced to prevent the degradation of tarred surfaces, particularly in the Central Business District, where corrugated roads have been a source of inconvenience for motorists.
The council has also undertaken extensive pothole patching in high-density areas, with Alderman Moyo emphasising that the programme will continue for several months until significant improvements are achieved. He added that the new grader and tipper truck will also allow the council to directly service residential stands, making them more affordable and accessible to low-income earners compared to those developed by private land developers.
“We won’t rest until we have covered much ground in road maintenance. We have also done pothole patching and we have managed to cover significant ground in the high-density areas. We are targeting to have pothole-free roads,” said Alderman Moyo.
He added that the local authority is now better equipped to respond to sewer and water pipe bursts, which previously relied on manual labour.
“These interventions are in line with President Mnangagwa’s Call to Action blueprint, which compels local authorities to deliver essential services such as clean water, sanitation, solid waste management, roads, street lighting and housing,” said Alderman Moyo.
He concluded by stating that the municipality will continue to prioritise service delivery to ensure residents benefit from the latest investments.
“We believe that with this new drive we have embarked on, we will achieve the minimum service delivery standards as required by the blueprint,” said the mayor.
