Online Reporter
Diana Nherera
Two major link roads in Katanga, Norton, Shonhiwa Drive and Koshen Drive have been reopened to traffic after being closed for over three years for rehabilitation.
The roads were repaired under the Emergency Road Rehabilitation Programme (ERRP 2) launched by President Emmerson Mnangagwa.
In his report, Norton Council town secretary, Mr Kizito Muhomba, told the 298th Ordinary council meeting held on Monday that the reopening allows public service vehicles to use the Katanga bus rank for a fee.
“The closure of the roads was affecting motorists and businesses in Katanga. Buses were now using routes in residential areas, posing a danger to the lives of the community,” he said.
Mr Muhomba also updated the council meeting on progress made on regulating private land developers with the District Development Coordinator (DDC) having recently concluded research on private land developers in Norton.
“They came here sometime in August, did desk, ground and site research. And their report has now been handed over to council,” he said.
“It is our hope that it is going to assist us in terms of how we are going to be dealing with land developers. The office of the DDC is now aware of the challenges we are facing in terms of dealing with land developers.
“I think we are going to improve in terms of handling the troublesome, challenging land developers.”
He said there was a request for a look and learn visit on landfill management.
“We are going to write to the Minister requesting for authority to do so and once it’s granted, we are going to be visiting, I think Harare and Bulawayo,” said Mr Muhomba.
The meeting also discussed the lease agreement between Norton Town Council and Premier Soccer League team MWOS.
He said the final draft is in place and will be discussed at the next Housing Committee meeting. The meeting is expected to make recommendations to council and finalise the lease agreement.
Mr Muhomba said, in August, council received an invitation to participate at the Tokyo International Youth Conference on African Development.
“Norton Town Council, together with other local authorities, attended the Tokyo International Youth Conference on Africa Development,” he said.
“The international conference was attended by the director of finance, who was acting in the position of town secretary and the community development coordinator, Ms Gutsa and two junior councillors.”
