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Liberty Dube
Post Correspondent
CITY of Mutare’s efforts to improve service delivery which include waste collection and management, road rehabilitation, fire tending and utility received a boost after the procurement of equipment worth over US$3 million.
The equipment was procured using devolution funds and the council’s internal resources.
The equipment includes a bulldozer, a pneumatic roller, six refuse trucks, 72 motorcycles, two water bowsers, six water tenders, 72 motorcycles, six fire tenders, six utility delivery vehicles and 12 departmental utility vehicles.
The Minister of State for Manicaland Provincial Affairs and Devolution, Advocate Misheck Mugadza commissioned the new equipment early this week.
He said it is exciting to note that City of Mutare is putting devolution funds to good use.
“We are happy that council is putting the devolution funds to good use. We are seeing the positive results and we sincerely hope that the development will play a big role in providing quality municipal services to residents, including rehabilitating roads that are in bad shape,” said Minister Mugadza.
He called on the local authority to address the issue of vendors’ proliferation in the city centre.
“My office has noted that vending in Mutare’s Central Business District is slowly getting out of hand. Of particular concern are allegations suggesting that there are space barons and unscrupulous municipal security personnel who may be cashing-in on the situation by demanding money from the desperate vendors.
“Council is therefore urged to work with relevant Government agencies and representatives of vendors to establish and avail appropriate vending space to those who need it as well as to take robust measures against those taking advantage of the situation to fleece vendors of their hard-earned money.
“There is an urgent need for council to deploy funds towards the expansion and modernisation of social amenities across the city. Demand for housing in the city continues to grow and in that context, some people become impatient to the extent of illegally allocating themselves some residential stands.
“On a related note, serious measures also need to be taken by the city fathers to contain and eliminate illegal settlements that may mushroom in some parts of the city, particularly the Gimboki Housing Scheme. This is in keeping with His Excellency, President Mnangagwa’s clarion call to have well-planned and orderly settlements across the country,” said Minister Mugadza.
Acting Mutare Town Clerk, Mr Blessing Chafesuka said the new equipment will go a long way in improving service delivery in the city.
“We believe the development will play a critical role in improving service delivery. We are glad that Government also chipped in through devolution funds. We will decentralise our fire stations to other areas such as Gimboki and Chikanga,” said Mr Chafesuka.
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