Mayor, residents on collision course

Suburban Reporter

HARARE Mayor Jacob Mafume recently lauded the new fuel stations mushrooming in the capital saying they were beautifying the city, setting him on collision with the city’s residents who feel the number of fuel stations is now a cause for concern.

In his State of the City Address (SOCA) delivered last month, Councillor Mafume noted that Harare’s economy is growing as evidenced by activities in the construction sector with fuel stations with beautifully landscaped frontages among the new buildings coming up.

“Ladies and gentlemen, the City’s economy is growing in leaps and bounds as demonstrated by the level of activities particularly in the construction sector. A number (of) service stations have been opened in Harare. The level of beautification of these service stations is amazing and we call upon all businesses in Harare to follow the same example. If all our business operators beautify their frontages and pavements, Harare will transform into a green and beautiful City,” said Cllr Mafume.

While residents have been welcoming new facilities and infrastructure being built in the city by investors they have deeply expressed reservations at the number of fuel stations going up in Harare and the siting of some of the new buildings and factories.

Some of the fuel stations are being built right in the middle of residential areas, raising safety concerns while others are being built in areas already flooded with such facilities creating an overkill of fuel stations.

Cllr Mafume’s observation is justified as the boom in construction in Harare is clear for all to see but residents have questioned the sites where some of the buildings or structures are being built. A number have been built in residential areas while others are on wetlands or spaces reserved for recreational purposes.

Avondale residents in Ward 17 are opposing the building of three new proposed fuel stations arguing that there is no justification to construct three new fuel stations within a 500-metre radius of each other.

The proposed fuel stations, two of which are planned for Argyle Road, have met the objections of residents who cited the congestion that is usually known to be common in the area and the potential negative impact such developments would have on their neighbourhood.

A resident of Ward 17 and a community leader Ms Carole Pearce expressed her concerns about the proposed fuel stations.

“We are angry and dismayed by this negligent ‘town planning’. We question whose interests are being served by the proliferation of fuel stations in our area. We are determined to protect our neighbourhood and prevent the degradation of our quality of life,” said Ms Pearce.

Last year, former Harare Metropolitan Provincial Affairs and Devolution Permanent Secretary Mr Tafadzwa Muguti expressed concern at the rate at which fuel stations were being built in Harare saying it was out of control. Mr Muguti was speaking at a Highlands Residents Association meeting where he said he felt that there were already too many fuel stations in the city.

“I am also not a fan of service stations, they are already too many.  We now have houses which are being turned into service stations. It’s now crazy,” said Mr Muguti.

Meeting moderator Miracle Missions Trust trustee Ms Jacqueline Anderson said they had been told that several fuel stations have been approved in their suburbs and they do not know what to do because they have been writing petitions objecting to these developments but to no avail.

Ms Anderson also said residents are being left out of the consultation processes where approvals to build these fuel stations are sought leaving them worried.

“We have been receiving many complaints of service stations everywhere not just in Highlands but the whole of Harare. It’s a menace really,” said Ms Anderson.