Online Reporter
Diana Nherera
THE City of Harare has bought 11 ambulances using funds raised through the emergency levy as part of efforts to improve emergency response services.
Speaking at a Ward 25 feedback and pre-budget consultative meeting on Friday, Disaster, Risk and Health Management chairperson and Ward 25 Highfield Councillor Jane Bhingari said the city has already received five of the ambulances and is expecting the remaining ones soon.
“Our aim is for every ward, every polyclinic to have an ambulance stationed in the ward and not wait for an ambulance maybe stationed in Kuwadzana or wherever,” she said.
Cllr Bhingari said council was also acquiring fire tenders, with one set to be stationed at High Glen to improve response times in Highfield and surrounding areas.
“If a fire breaks out in Highfield, a fire tender should arrive at the scene of the fire within five minutes before the fire spreads. But if it arrives in 20 minutes, most of the property will be destroyed,” she said.
She said the procurement of ambulances and fire tenders was among the projects being funded through the emergency levy.
Meanwhile, Cllr Bhingari said some tower lights in Ward 25 had been repaired using funds from the public lighting levy.
“I think you have seen some of our tower lights that have been repaired. Even in our streets, we have put lights,” she said.
She acknowledged that some of the lights initially installed were of poor quality, but said the council was now bringing in better-quality lights.
