John Ndlovu and Chantel Takudzwa Zambukira
ZIM GBC NEWS REPORTERS
Despite failing to maintain, repair and or rehabilitate the devastating state of its road network the Bulawayo City Council has claimed all responsibility of the roadworks in the City of Kings and Queens.
Bulawayo’s roads have reached an appalling stage with residents lost as to what is happening at Tower Block.
This past Friday the City Fathers issued a directive through a statement signed by the Town Clerk Christopher Dube which stated that roadworks rehabilitation was in the jurisdiction of the Local Authority as stipulated in Part II Section 5 of the Roads Act (Chapter 13:18) which gives the Council powers to oversee roadworks in the City.
The communique is a veiled directive to Minister of Finance and International Trade who has embarked on rehabilitation of Cowdray Park’s roads as he campaigns to be Member of Parliament for the constituency.
Ncube has been allegedly constructing roads and drilling boreholes in Cowdray Park, a suburb located in the North-West of the second largest City.
When this publication quizzed the Bulawayo City Council in regards to the roadworks being undertaken by Minister Ncube, the Bulawayo City Council Corporate Communications Officer Bongiwe Ngwenya gave a cold answer and directed the reporters to Min. Ncube for responses.
“Thank you for the inquiry. We advise that you engage Min. Ncube with the query below.” she said.
“The City of Bulawayo wishes to raise public awareness that under Part II Section 5 of the Roads Act(Chapter 13:18, planning design, construction, maintenance, rehabilitation and management of roads under it’s jurisdiction are it’s responsibility as outlined in Section 5(2) of the Act which stipulates that every local road authority shall, within the area of it’s jurisdiction have power to construct, maintain and rehabilitate every urban or tertiary road or road which is not a regional, primary or secondary road in accordance with road programmes.”Dube said in a statement
Dube further made it clear that anyone willing to fund or partake in the roadworks rehabilitation processes is obliged to follow requisite channels through consulting with the City Council’s engineers in writing so as to be granted permission to do so.
“Anyone who wishes to fund, or carryout the construction, maintenance, and rehabilitation of any road which is not a regional, primary or secondary road within the City’s jurisdiction should seek permission in writing from the City’s Director of Engineering Services.”He added
Min. Ncube has also been at loggerheads with the City Fathers over drilling boreholes in areas that have been said to be unfit for borehole construction such as Garikai area due to their nature.
Min. Ncube has also been using gravel, quarry and other environmental resources belonging to the Bulawayo City Council something which has created tensions between the two parties.
There has been mixed reactions to Min. Ncube on the projects he has embarked on in Cowdray Park.
“Wayengaphi isikhathi sonke lesi? ” Quizzed Mbulawa Sibanda, a resident of the vast suburb.
where has he been all this time when the roads were damaged
“Zvaarikuita zvakanaka, but mubvunzo wangu urikuti, Akirikuyiwanepi mari yaarikushandisa? Hazvisi zve Gold Mafia izvi…?” Elliott Masendeke questioned.
_what he (Min. Ncube) is doing is noble, but where is he getting the money from? Isn’t this Gold Mafia? “
“Myekeleni uMthuli alungise imigwaqo, hanti ikhansili iyehluleka”
Said another resident who refused with her name.
Let him repair the roads, isn’t the City Council failing
“Aah!! Yizinto zecampaign lezi. Yindaba engalungisanga kudala, before wakhethwa to stand for ZANU-PF?
This is campaign gimmicks. Why didn’t he repair the roads before he was nominated to stand for ZANU-PF?
” Usenza abantwana UMthuli, usenza izithutha. Akalungise imali esiphele ivalue, kulokusikinga akwenzayo.”
He takes us for children. He thinks we are stupids. Can he take care of the Zimbabwe Dollar that has lost significant vale.