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Vusumuzi Dube, Online News Editor
STAFF shortages continue to negatively affect the performance of Bulawayo City Council (BCC) departments, with the Housing and Community Services revealing that it has a deficit of 458 workers.
The local authority has over the years been affected by an employment freeze enforced by Government to control the wage bill, with the freeze only lifted to cater for critical positions.
Director of Housing and Community Services Mr Dictor Khumalo noted in his annual report for the year ended 31 December 2021 that staff shortages continue to negatively affect operations in his department.
“The department continued to lose staff due to natural attrition which include normal retirement, medical boarding, resignation, dismissal and deaths which resulted in a net loss of 30 workers during the year under review.
“The department’s actual staff establishment stands at 472 against an authorised establishment of 930 meaning that the department is short staffed by 458 employees during the period under consideration.
The department continued to suffer recruitment freeze as most of the sections are operating with low critical staffing levels. However, this has continued to impact negatively on the timeous provision of quality service delivery,” reads the report.
The director further noted that lack of capital funding also continued to stifle service delivery as it hampered both planned maintenance and construction of new projects.
“Lack of service vehicles and plant continued to negatively affect the department’s output and efficiency, Lack of personnel in most sections of the department continued to be a major challenge in providing quality service delivery.
“Lack of capital funding also continued to stifle service delivery as it hampered both planned maintenance and construction of new projects. The inadequate supply of reclaimed water due to collapsed sewerage infrastructure continued to affect the parks development,” reads the report.
He further revealed that in 2021, 3 245 building plans were submitted for approval as compared to 3 405 building plans submitted in 2020 giving a 4.70 percent decrease, while there was also a 7.11 percent decrease on building plans approved in 2021 given that 2 144 building plans were approved in 2021 while 2 308 were approved in 2020.
“The construction of Early Childhood Development blocks was in partnership with School Development Committees. Progress has been very limited due to financial constraints, and high rate of inflation that has affected the utility of any funds availed for the construction projects.
“The department envisages to continue the construction of Vulindlela Primary School and rehabilitation of Thorngrove Hospital being funded under the devolution fund. The rehabilitation and planned maintenance of community facilities for improved facelift will be ensued,” reads the report.
Mr Khumalo further revealed that they will also continue to implement projects funded under the three percent ward retention funding.
“The construction of ECD blocks with the support of stakeholders will be spearheaded. The department will continue the greening of the city’s environs and environmental protection and management,” he said.
Online Reporter