adminBlessings Chidakwa Municipal Reporter
MDC Alliance Harare Mayor Councillor Jacob Mafume, who is fighting a recall by the People’s Democratic Party as opposition parties fight for control of the capital, has announced an ambitious programme dubbed “the 100-day City Stabilisation Plan (CSP)”, which he says outlines key targets for the revival of the city.
But PDP secretary-general Mr Benjamin Rukanda insisted yesterday that Clr Mafume’s proposals were in vain as he had been recalled.
Mr Rukanda said Clr Mafume had ceased representing the interests of the party, necessitating the recall.
However, council is reportedly yet to be notified of the recall by Government.
“As far as we are concerned, the position remains that Clr Mafume has been recalled,” said Mr Rukanda. “That has not changed. We are awaiting the completion of the legal processes for his removal.”
A defiant Clr Mafume said the plan sought to remove garbage in open spaces and residential areas within four weeks and repair roads within 100 days.
He said ratepayers were disappointed with the quality of service provided by the city and dealing with this dissatisfaction was a key priority in the 100-day CSP.
“There are a lot of the challenges that have crippled service delivery in the City of Harare, and the sources of the challenges have been multifarious,” said Clr Mafume.
“This proposed CSP acknowledges these challenges and suggests a multi-stakeholder process under a listening and consultative mayor that focuses its efforts during the first 100 days towards addressing long-standing, but pressing residents’ concerns around the provision of quality, consistent and affordable services in Harare.”
Council would deploy a truck per ward and announce waste collection schedules for the wards.
“Thereafter, a commitment to remove garbage bi-weekly,” said Clr Mafume. “We are repairing eight refuse compactors trucks and we aim to have an availability of 30 trucks per day in the next two weeks.”
Clr Mafume pledged to provide clean and potable water to all parts and households in Harare as required by section 77 of the Constitution.
“There will be restoration of clean and potable water supplies to most households and bowsers to those we will not be able to reach in the next 100 days,” he said.
Clr Mafume said among his priorities was to improve access to decent health services to all residents, fighting Covid-19 and other diseases by opening and equipping all clinics with essential medicines as currently only 10 percent of the clinics are working.
On repairing roads, he said this was a key infrastructure to attract investment in Harare.
“Currently, most roads are dilapidated, and this is a serious impediment to the conduct of business,” he said.
Clr Mafume pledged to clean all storm water drains, fostering transparency and accountability at town house within 100 days.
Online Reporter