adminThupeyo Muleya
Beitbridge Bureau
Beitbridge Rural District Council (BBRDC) requires $21 million to fund projects related to the upgrading of Lutumba Growth Point into an urban settlement.
Council chief executive officer Mr Peter Moyo said part of the money will cover the servicing of 485 residential stands, a move that will ease accommodation challenges in the border town.
The Growth Point is located 20km north of Beitbridge Town along the Beitbridge-Masvingo highway. Mr Moyo said the completion of outstanding civil works has been adversely affected by low revenue inflows linked to the Covid-19 pandemic.
“We need a total of $21 million to complete the outstanding works in that area.
“The project is progressing at a slower pace since we haven’t been able to collect enough revenue as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic, which has hit most businesses,” said Mr Moyo.
The stands were serviced between 2015 and 2019 and have already been allocated to beneficiaries. Laying water reticulation pipes has also been done while roads have been opened in the residential area. Mr Moyo said they had drilled three boreholes to service the area and one of the boreholes has been connected to the area.
“We expect to connect more boreholes upon the completion of the construction of a huge reservoir tank,” said Mr Moyo.
Civil works on housing construction are still low with at least 150 people having handed their plans for approval.
An area for a communal dumpsite has already identified and fenced off.
BBRDC has also submitted a development plan for the extension of the township to the department of physical planning for approval.
“We have identified land where we intend to put a cemetery. The area is located west of the business centre and we are still engaging villagers closer to that place to avoid unnecessary conflicts.
“Pegging will be done as soon as we complete all the initial processes,” said Mr Moyo.
The growth point is thought to have great potential to grow into a township due to its location along the major highway in Zimbabwe and proximity to Beitbridge Border Post.
BBRDC has already built offices in the area while other development agents are working on constructing more schools and health care facilities and a service station.
Online Reporter