Suburban
THE Borrowdale Ratepayers and Residents Association has called on the residents and the City of Harare to join hands to foster development in the city by completing unfinished projects from 2021 and starting new ones in 2022.
Peter Tanyanyiwa Suburban Reporter
The residents’ body says this year it will be demanding accountability and transparency from the City of Harare.
In an interview this week the BRRA chairperson Mr Robert Mutyasira said the quest for efficient service delivery is now getting louder throughout Ward 18 which is made up of Borrowdale, Borrowdale Brooke, Carrick Creagh, Helensvale, Greystone Park, Philadelphia, Colne Valley, Glen Lorne, Umwinsidale among other suburbs.
Mr Mutyasira said it is now time for residents and the local authority to work together in an effort to achieve development.
He, however, said it is unfortunate that residents are faced with the task of correcting anomalies which all too often spoil their days and make life so unbearable.
“With a number of unfinished plans and projects from 2021 falling hard on our heels as Ward 18, we cannot but begin 2022 on a more than a moderate pace.
“We cannot continue to bask in the glories of the past but we have to be apt and active in making sure we deliver the expected outcomes.
“2022 must be the year we lock horns and also join hands with the local authority to bring them to account and secure their commitment to meeting their objectives.
“Where they are lacking, we will complement and support in the best way we can,” he said.
The BRRA leader said that the organisation will this year lay demands for good governance within the City of Harare, who by now, they expect to have invested in putting their house in order.
“Residents are now tired of spectating the theatrical events at Town House which are largely around personal egos and political ambitions of individuals whose energies should be focused on making the city more habitable. The behaviour of men and women elected into office is now nothing but a frustration to many residents across the entire jurisdiction of the City of Harare.
The value chain is obviously affected by the dysfunctionality of the decision-making body which is mandated to oversee the welfare of its residents.
“Many projects have been stalled only going as far as the initiation and planning stages.
“Residents want water, roads, waste collection, recreational facilities, functional revenue collection and robust welfare systems, just to mention the basic few.
“Attempts at intervention are often met with unpredictable red tape and intricate processes which are quite demoralising and retrogressive for lack of better terms.
“If the participation of residents is to be sustainably conjured, we appeal to the local authority that they be more welcoming and responsive beyond the district office level, where we often get reasonably good service,” said Mr Mutyasira.
Acting Harare City Council spokesperson Mr Innocent Ruwende said the municipality always welcomes community initiatives which are development oriented from all its stakeholders.
“Council always welcomes development-oriented initiatives from all residents’ representative bodies across the Harare communities.
“It is our wish that we can continue to work together and create more partnerships which will foster development in Harare,” said Mr Ruwende.
Last year, the BRRA said it suspected some council officials were benefiting from the chaotic billing at the municipality.
The body said it is mind boggling how an institution with multiple assets and a human capital base such as the City of Harare has failed to find effective and efficient solutions to what should be among their major priorities.
“As residents, we are left with no option but to resort to speculation that this is against the grain of the numerous narratives and attempts at damage control tactics engaged by the city authorities.
“One part of us is suspicious of the entire system and a line of thought is slowly developing among residents pointing to the fact that this sham situation is well orchestrated and is creating conduits of siphoning money from the organisation by some unscrupulous individuals.
“There is no service by council that we can think of that does not require residents to fork out extra money to council employees in order to get something done.
“There are now multiple parallel structures within the municipality which are side-lining the normal revenue collection channels and centring activities around employees if one is to get expedited service.
“Shortages are created in the system so as to allow corrupt individuals within council to offer alternative services during their working hours and sometimes as piece jobs outside of working hours,” the BRRA said.
The BRRA further alleged that it may not surprise Harare residents that equipment, tools and spares belonging to the local authority are being used for the benefit of individuals who still get salaries and bonuses.
