Chronicle Editor
Vusumuzi Dube, Online News Editor
THE Bulawayo City Council (BCC) continues to reward its residents who pay their rates three percent of all cash received in bill payment per ward for key infrastructure projects jointly identified by residents and their councillors.
The ward retention fund mooted in Bulawayo as part of the 2015 budget outreach programme saw council committing to funding projects decided by the wards under the leadership of their elected councillors. Funding for the projects is tied to what each ward contributes to council’s coffers and has seen a lot of infrastructure improvement.
The receipts into the fund are three percent of all cash received from payment of services billed to ward residents. In the past years, the fund has been subject to controversy with top officials – at one point – being accused of stifling development in the city after it emerged that some wards in the city have not had ward retention funds released to them since 2016.
Despite the slow pace of the release of the funds, which has resulted in councillors constantly putting BCC management to task, residents have slowly started to reap the benefits of the fund. Ward Five councillor, Dumisani Nkomo noted on social media that they have started repairs to street lights in the ward, with close to 40 having been restored against a target of 1 000. Councillor Nkomo said the street lights were being fixed under the ward retention fund.
“Ward Five has US$57,000 for our ward retention. For maximum impact, affordability and sustainability, the ward development committee identified the repair of streetlights as a low-hanging implementable project. Monthly financial updates on the Ward Retention Fund will be provided. Roads – a few areas have received gravel but most of our roads need to be upgraded,” reads the update.
The other 28 wards have also identified several projects, which are being worked on and are at various levels of completion where the ward retention funds will be put to use. According to a breakdown, contained in the latest council report, Ward One, has a balance of US$70 430 and some of the projects they are embarking on include the supply and fitting of gates at sanitary lanes in the Central Business District, of which 23 have already been installed.
The ward is also working on the rehabilitation of Jabulani Flats as well as pavements in the CBD. They have already completed the rehabilitation of street lights on 8th and 11th Avenue. Ward Two has a balance of US$31 106 which they aim to use for the rehabilitation of street lights in Trenance – Nerine, Marigold, Blue Bell Roads, Sauerstown – Beech Dawson, Haig, Syringa Roads, Northvale / Kingsdale – Kingsville, Northgate, Conolls, Hatting Roads and Tegela – Dullstone, Highberry, Fordwych Roads.
Other suburbs in the ward that will get streetlights under the fund are; Northend – Collebrander Ave, Long, Taylor Roads, Richmond – Gleinville Road, Queenspark West – Alexandra, Elizabeth, Victoria Roads, Northleen – intersection of Azelea Road, Rudd and David Roads and Rudd, David Roads.
Ward Three, with a balance of US$38 017 is working on the installation of solar street lights in Woodville and Mahatshula, and the purchasing of trimmers and compactors while Ward Four, with a balance of US$60 748 is working on the rehabilitation of street lights and bush clearing.
Ward Six has a balance of US$32 655 and is working on converting Inkunzi Beer Garden to a factory shell, rehabilitation of Bellevue Recreation Club and rehabilitation of streetlights with Ward Seven which has a balance of US$33 140 working on the rehabilitation of toilets and the installation of a new tower light and streetlights while Ward Eight with a balance of US$29 615 is working on renovating of Macdonald Hall, upgrading of Nguboyenja Youth Centre and Burombo Flats.
The other 21 wards have balances ranging between US$24 000 and US$30 000 with most of their targeted projects ranging from rehabilitating streetlights, refurbishing of community halls and rehabilitation of roads.
Online Reporter