Online Reporter
Diana Nherera
The City of Harare is addressing persistent sewer problems around the University of Zimbabwe, with several manholes having been attended to and blocked sections cleared.
The intervention follows complaints from Mt Pleasant residents about a persistent sewer smell emanating from the university area.
In his service delivery report presented at the Ward 17 feedback meeting held last Saturday, Ward 17 Mt Pleasant Councillor Happymore Gotora said work on the lower section of the stream was still ongoing.
“One of the major reasons for the delay has been the presence of long roots and stones inside the manholes, which have made the work extremely difficult and require heavy machinery to remove the obstruction effectively,” he said.
Cllr Gotora said the council would continue following up on the work until it was completed and the situation improved.
On road maintenance, Cllr Gotora said the roads maintenance unit undertook various activities in June, July and August, including gravel patching, tar patching, drain clearing and catch-pit cleaning.
He said gravel patching had been carried out on Quendon Road, Sherwood Road, Argyle Road, Stortford Parade, Easton Road, Hallingbury Road, Trent Road, Derwent Road and Rotherham Road.
On tar patching, he said work on Quendon Road was 50 percent complete, Sherwood Road 80 percent, Argyle Road 95 percent, Stortford Parade 95 percent, while Easton Road and Trent Road had been completed.
Further road works are planned for West Road, Derwent Road and Sherwood Road, including an overlay on Quendon Road.
Cllr Gotora said drain-clearing works were also continuing.
On billing, he said the city was migrating from the Surge billing system to the BIQ billing system, although the transition had resulted in some challenges.
“There have been some teething problems, particularly relating to rates accounts, account updates and billing information.
“I am pleased to advise that significant work has been undertaken to address these challenges and July bills have been issued,” he said.
He urged residents who continued to experience discrepancies or other billing problems to visit council banking halls, the district office or customer care for assistance.
“I also encourage residents to continue paying their bills.The revenue collected enables the council to provide essential services such as water, sewer, roads, refuse collection, public lighting and emergency services,” said Cllr Gotora
