adminProsper Ndlovu Senior Reporter
BULAWAYO residents yesterday challenged the newly elected members of the National Assembly and Senate to get down to serious business and start addressing challenges facing the people.In a vox pop conducted in the city, the residents said the swearing-in of members of Parliament on Tuesday should usher in a new dispensation of renewed commitment to embark on concrete development programmes.
“The much awaited swearing-in ceremony has been done and our legislators should get down to business. I come from Tsholotsho and my wish is to see all our leaders delivering on the promises they made during the campaigns.
“There should be no excuse for failure,” said Mr Wisdom Nduku.
A woman who identified herself as Mrs Chimbwando from Nketa 6 said parliamentarians from Matabeleland region should fiercely fight for the revival of Bulawayo industries.
“The situation in Bulawayo industries is so painful. Our husbands who used to work in those industries are jobless and as I speak my husband is at home.
“We have been shifting from one place to another because we are struggling to pay rent.
“This time around we want our MPs and Senators to bring change and make sure these industries are re-opened,” she said.
A youthful Mr Moses Sibanda concurred saying MPs and Senators should come up with programmes that would stop youths from going to South Africa.
“As youths we want jobs. We have skills and project plans but lack of capital is the stumbling major block. Our MPs and Senators should lobby Government to avail money to fund youth projects.
“The youths are forced to go down south or to engage in criminal activities because they have nothing to do,” he said.
Mr Eddie Maseko from Makokoba said the new Government should come up with programmes that address the many challenges facing the people such as shortage of accommodation and unemployment.
“Shortage of accommodation has created a lot of congestion in this city. In Makokoba for instance our children no longer have any space to play. Our MPs should address such challenges,” said Mr Maseko.
Mrs Olivia Mahuni from Cowdray Park said the new legislators should push for the development of new power stations and completion of outstanding water projects to alleviate electricity and water shortages.
“Our leaders should work very hard to improve our lives. We are tired of staying in darkness because there is no power.
“We are also not happy with the continued shortage of water in Bulawayo. We are at risk of contracting water-borne diseases such as cholera,” she said.
The National Matabeleland Zambezi Water Project (NMZWP) which involves the construction of the Gwayi-Shangani Dam and the laying of the pipeline from the dam to Bulawayo and another pipeline from Zambezi River to the dam is viewed as a long term solution to Bulawayo’s perennial water shortages.
Mr David Ndlovu, a commuter omnibus driver, said the new Government should prioritise rehabilitation of road infrastructure and equipping hospitals in order to improve health service delivery.
“As a driver I expect our leaders to urgently address the state of our roads which are in a bad state. We are also concerned about the poor service at our hospitals and clinics.
“Patients are charged exorbitant fees yet the service is poor. Our leaders should reverse this scenario,” said Mr Ndlovu.
Motorists have also complained about delays in completing the widening of roads such as Bulawayo-Nkayi, Bulawayo-Kezi and Bulawayo-Tsholotsho.
Mr Farai Mutambara from Entumbane suburb said MPs and Senators should work with local authorities to improve service delivery.
“Service delivery is poor especially here in Bulawayo. Refuse collection is not consistent while recreational facilities and clubs are no longer working.
Our MPs should work with council to revive these services,” he said.
“We also expect improvement at the registry offices. Most people struggle to get birth certificates, identity cards or passport khonapha koMsitheli. MPs should look into that.”
A student from Zimbabwe Open University who declined to be named said legislators should work with businesses and educators.
“Businesses need the help of legislators in mobilising resources to re-open closed companies.
“We expect MPs to work with businesses to stop the closure and relocation of companies. We also expect them to assist small businesses and educators in skills development,” said the student.
Residents said they were tired of leaders, who after being elected into office disappear only to resurface after five years begging for votes.
President Mugabe has assured the nation that the Zanu-PF Government will re-ignite the economy and deliver on its promises to reverse the stagnation the economy experienced during the tenure of the Inclusive Government.
Online Reporter