Online Reporter
Herald Reporter
Ward 45 Councillor Jubilation Shoko has urged residents to clear their outstanding City of Harare bills, saying improved revenue collection is critical to sustaining service delivery gains being recorded in water supply, waste management and infrastructure rehabilitation.
Speaking during a Ward 45 feedback meeting held at Dzivarasekwa 1 Community Hall on Saturday, Cllr Shoko said the City was beginning to reap the benefits of strategic public-private partnerships, particularly in water supply and refuse collection, while encouraging residents to play their part by honouring their financial obligations to Council.
He said residents had welcomed the City’s partnership with Geo Pomona Waste Management, which has significantly improved refuse collection and the clearing of illegal dumpsites across the ward.
“Residents have expressed satisfaction with the progress being made through the partnership between the City of Harare and Geo Pomona. Refuse is now being collected according to schedule and illegal dumpsites are being cleared, resulting in a cleaner environment. However, we continue to appeal to members of the community to stop illegal dumping, as keeping our neighbourhoods clean is everyone’s responsibility,” said Cllr Shoko.
He also commended the ongoing water infrastructure rehabilitation programme being undertaken through the City’s partnership with Helcraw Water, saying although residents had experienced temporary disruptions caused by pipeline replacement works, the long-term benefits were already becoming evident.
“The rehabilitation of our ageing water infrastructure has brought temporary inconveniences, including pipe bursts and interruptions to water supplies, but these are part of a necessary process to modernise the system. Water losses are being addressed and residents are already witnessing improved water availability. We ask for continued patience as the project progresses,” he said.
Cllr Shoko said residents had also discussed the water infrastructure levy, public lighting levy and emergency services levy introduced by the City, explaining that the funds were financing key capital projects, including the acquisition of ambulances, rehabilitation of water infrastructure and improvements to public services.
He said concerns raised by informal traders over market fees would be considered during the City’s forthcoming budget consultation process.
“Residents indicated that market fees require review, but such adjustments can only be considered through the annual budget consultation process where all stakeholders are given an opportunity to make their submissions,” he said.
Cllr Shoko also welcomed the City’s ongoing drainage rehabilitation programme but appealed for contractors to ensure excavated gravel and debris are removed immediately after works are completed to prevent blocked stormwater drains.
He urged residents to prioritise the settlement of outstanding municipal bills.
“We continue encouraging residents to pay their rates and service charges because revenue collection is what enables the City to improve roads, water supply, refuse collection, public lighting and other essential services. Improved payment compliance will translate directly into improved service delivery,” he said.
The feedback meeting, chaired by Dzivarasekwa District Officer Mr Shepherd Tonderai Mawire, brought together officials from Harare Water, the Finance Department, the Town Clerk’s Department and the Department of Physical Planning, who responded to residents’ concerns on roads, water, sewerage, billing, waste management, health services and public lighting.
Area Controller Mr Linos Mutero reminded residents that Council would continue billing for refuse collection, property rates and outstanding debts despite the introduction of prepaid water meters, urging ratepayers to regularise their accounts.
Monitoring and Evaluation Officer Mr Louis Mukumba assured residents that treated municipal water remains safe for consumption following laboratory testing while encouraging those relying on community boreholes to have their water tested regularly for contamination.
Residents also expressed concern over damage to residential roads caused by heavy commercial vehicles illegally parking within neighbourhoods and called for stricter enforcement of municipal by-laws.
Monitoring and Evaluation Officer Mr McDonald Magedhi explained how the City’s various levies are utilised and noted that revenue collection efficiency in Region Four remained around 35 percent, underscoring the need for improved payment compliance by ratepayers.
Among those who attended the meeting were Harare Region Four Area Manager Mrs Marian Mverechena, Ward 39 Councillor Stephen Dhliwayo, Ward 40 Councillor Knowledge Bote, Ward 27 Councillor Womberaiishe Tirivangani Nhende and Alderman Girisoti Mandere.
Closing the meeting, Ward 27 Councillor Womberaiishe Tirivangani Nhende commended residents for actively participating in the engagement and pledged that councillors would continue working with City officials to improve service delivery through regular consultation and accountability.
