Installation of traffic lights, speed humps reduces accidents

13 Dec, 2024 - 00:12 0 Views
Installation of traffic lights, speed humps reduces accidents Ward 16 residents attend the State of the Ward Address.

Diana Nherera Suburban Reporter

The number of road traffic accidents in Bloomingdale, Sanganayi Inn, Westlea, and the N. Richards area has significantly decreased from 67 incidents and four fatalities last year to just seven accidents as of December 1, 2024.

This positive change follows the installation of traffic lights and speed humps by the City of Harare.

Delivering the Ward 16 State of the Ward Address held at Mabelreign Park on Sunday, area Councillor Denford Ngadziore noted that these areas previously experienced near-daily accidents. “In 2023, we recorded approximately 67 accidents and four deaths. However, after engaging with the roads department to install traffic lights at N. Richards and speed humps throughout the area, we have seen remarkable improvements,” he said.

Cllr Ngadziore acknowledged residents’ concerns about vehicle shocks being damaged due to the design of the speed humps but emphasised that it is preferable to damage shocks than to lose lives.

“We added more tar to ensure that vehicles can drive without sustaining damage. From 67 accidents in 2023, we have only received seven reports by December 1, 2024. This data comes from residents, municipal traffic police, and the Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) traffic units covering Mabelreign and Warren Park,” he explained. In addition to road safety, Cllr Ngadziore reported a reduction in illegal dumpsites and outlined plans to improve refuse collection in Westlea and Sanganayi Inn.

“We have worked closely with the community to address environmental issues. There were once numerous illegal dumps, particularly in areas like the car wash near Rosedeane in Bloomingdale and along Hillmorton Road. However, I am pleased to say that we have made significant progress in eliminating these dumps. If any remain, they are the result of a few individuals,” he said.

Cllr Ngadziore urged residents to take billing issues directly to Mabelreign District Office rather than travelling to Rowan Martin Building, on the edge of the central business district.

This plea followed residents’ complaints about confusing bills during a recent pre-budget consultative meeting.

“Residents expressed frustration over receiving confusing bills that seemed to increase each month. I met with the district officer, Mrs Gambiza, and the revenue manager, and it is unacceptable for Mabelreign residents to incur additional costs just to inquire about their bills. Our district office is fully equipped to handle these issues,” he said.

He encouraged residents with specific billing queries to visit the district office, noting that after discussions, many residents saw their bills reduced from ZiG$8 000 to between ZiG$5 000 and ZiG$6 000.

Cllr Ngadziore also announced the construction of a new fire station along Harare Drive, with nearly 70 percent of the building materials already on site. “This fire station will serve Mabelreign, surrounding areas, and (the new) Cyber City. We held a groundbreaking ceremony and expect progress to continue into 2025,” he added.

Addressing the issue of vandalism, Cllr Ngadziore lamented that nearly all fire hydrants in the area have been damaged, resulting in tragic consequences.

“We have seen six houses destroyed by fire in Ward 16. It is disheartening for a pensioner earning $25 a month to lose their home, or for someone with a mortgage to face similar devastation. The City of Harare must ensure that emergency services can respond to fires within five to ten minutes. Currently, the nearest fire station, Belvedere, is almost seven kilometres away, often resulting in delays due to traffic and potholes,” he said.

Cllr Ngadziore highlighted that the Fire Brigade took 16 minutes to respond to a recent fire in Cotswold Hills, citing traffic jams and potholes as contributing factors. He also pointed out that the city currently has only two functioning ambulances, emphasising the need for more.

“We aim to have at least 25 ambulances,” he said.

At the pre-budget meeting, residents expressed their willingness to assist the council.

“To facilitate this, we plan to introduce an emergency service levy, currently set at $1 per household. This funding will be used to purchase ambulances, fire tenders, and raise awareness in the community,” Cllr Ngadziore explained.

Additionally, he announced plans to build a trading market for residents of Westlea and Matidoda, similar to existing shops in the area.

“We are also engaging with developers at Ashdown Park to ensure they include small shops for SMEs in their projects. They have agreed to construct nearly 15 SME shops at Ashdown Park using their own resources,” he concluded.

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