Chronicle Editor
Vusumuzi Dube, Online News Editor
THE Bulawayo City Council’s parking management system partner Tendy Three International is set to install Closed-Circuit Television (CCTV) by February next year, a move aimed at reducing crime and enhancing security in the city.
Despite the project attracting opposition from motorists and residents in the city, the parking management system contract has, according to the local authority, had a number of positives in the two years it has been in effect.
Responding to questions from Sunday News, the City of Bulawayo’s corporate communications manager, Mrs Nesisa Mpofu revealed that this year, as at 31 October, they had managed to raise over US$700 000 in revenue.
“As at 31 October we have managed to get US$783 000, ZAR520 000, BWP7 154 and $900 million. The Urban Councils Act, dictates that these funds be used only on the parking bays and roads in the project area. Currently some of the funds continue being used for the preparation and expansion of the project area that is pavement preparations, carriageway and parking markings.
“The money will go a long way in the rehabilitation of the city’s road network which currently has 75 percent of the roads in a bad state requiring over US$700 million for rehabilitation. The Central Business District’s road network requires an investment of US$30 million alone to get all the roads in a good state,” said Mrs Mpofu.
She revealed that CCTV, which were part of the original package by TTI, will be installed by February.
“CCTV’s are a control and monitoring mechanism meant for surveillance of the activities within the parking areas. They form part of the contract. The cameras have been procured by the counter-party and delivered awaiting installation.
Installation of the cameras is planned for the onset of the third year — February 2024. Surveillance cameras will also enhance security and reduce crime in the CBD,” said the council spokesperson.
Mrs Mpofu noted that as the project continues to expand to the total project area it is expected that revenue collection for the city will increase.
“The collection figures are expected to significantly increase. At the same time, the project anticipates an increase in staffing levels by between 80 to 100 positions. It is also on record that sections of the city already falling under the project are cleaner than the other areas, whose cleanliness is expected to cover the whole city once expansion has been promoted.
“The project objectives are also to; decongest the City Centre, employment creation for the people of Bulawayo, create order and sanity in the City Centre, reduced carbon emissions and pollution, raise revenue to fix parking bays, improved sense of security in the City Centre, increased life span of our roads and moving towards smart city status,” she said.
Relating to employment creation, the council spokesperson revealed that, since inception they have employed 356 employees of which 189 were male and 167 were female. Of the total number employed 249 were on operations, with 151 being female and 96 being male.
There are 35 administrative staff where 24 are male and 11 female while in enforcement TTI has employed 61 enforcement officers, all being male and in compliance they have 11 employees with six being male and five females.
Online Reporter