adminThupeyo Muleya Beitbridge Bureau
BEITBRIDGE town council has partnered the Zimbabwe Electricity Transmission and Distribution Company (ZETDC) in a project that will see solar powered street lights being installed in most of the town’s crime hotspots.
Acting town secretary, Douglas Siphuma said yesterday that they entered into an agreement with a private contractor to install 43 solar powered street lights.
“We’ve covered a lot of ground and are expecting the installation to begin anytime this month. The company will also repair other broken down streetlights especially in areas around the border post, BeitBridge Express Hotel, the CBD and some crime hotspots in the low density suburb,” he said.
“This is a cost cutting measure on our part as the local authority since we’ll rely more on renewable energy. You’ll note that we’ve a lot of sunlight in this town even during winter and hence the need to be innovative.”
He added that they were working to introduce the use of solar powered street lights to other parts of the town as well, as Beitbridge was developing rapidly.
He said there was need to create a safe environment for residents and visitors by ensuring that there is adequate lighting all the time.
“Night robberies were very rampant for pedestrians and motorists in this area, but the introduction of street or tower lights on major routes, cases of robberies have been reduced,” said Siphuma.
Online Reporter