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By Gilbert Munetsi
Chitungwiza Municipality on Thursday commissioned vehicles worth ZWL32 million purchased from a total ZWL60,8 million released by treasury as its share of devolution funds.
The unveiling ceremony was conducted at the municipal head office and was officiated by the Secretary for Provincial Affairs and Devolution, Tafadzwa Muguti, who represented Harare Metropolitan Minister Senator Oliver Chidawu.
Also in attendance were officials from Ruwa, Norton and Epworth, residents’ associations, councillors from the host town and stakeholders.
The vehicles, comprising two refuse compactors and two state of the art ambulances, will bolster the current fleet that was donated by the Japanese government back in 1997.
Chitungwiza needs 12 refuse compact trucks if it is to deliver service to residents flawlessly.
Noting that the council has of late suffered from poor service delivery that has courted disgruntlement from within the community, Sen Chidhawu urged authorities to up their game.
“While the judicious use of devolution funds is important, local authorities must also aim to constantly improve their revenue collection and never depend on devolution money to fund developmental projects.
“The Municipality must aim to enhance revenue collection and provide services timeously and diligently to encourage residents to pay rates and other levies,” the Minister said in his speech read on his behalf by his Permanent Secretary.
He reiterated the need for the involvement of the community in consultations pertaining to the use of devolution funds and prescribed a bottom-up approach.
“Bureaucrats should consult the community before deciding how devolution funds should be used as well as the projects to be undertaken,” he said.
Turning to the issue of the mushrooming of illegal structures dotted around Chitungwiza, Sen Chidau had no kind words for the occupants intimating that stern action will be taken.
“The town has a problem of unsanctioned settlements and illegal construction of buildings including at the Town Centre.
“This is a disappointing scenario which we expect council management to rectify by immediately deploying its development control department to curtail,” he said.
Recently, Chitungwiza Municipality issued an ultimatum to owners of properties illegally built at the Town Centre, but a residents’ association (Chitrest) intervened on their behalf through the Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights to stop demolitions. Nhau/Indaba
