Ward 18 vents frustrations over lack of service delivery

No progress has been made on resolutions between the City of Harare and Ward 18 residents to improve service delivery leaving the initiative comatose due to the municipality’s lack of urgency.

Peter Tanyanyiwa Suburban Reporter

A Ward 18 stakeholders meeting heard that the City of Harare has not moved on any of the unresolved issues residents had raised with the local authority.

The meeting held recently at Borrowdale District Office and organised by the Borrowdale Ratepayers and Residents Association (BRRA) wanted to track progress on issues agreed on in November last year.

Heads of departments from the City of Harare attended the meeting in a bid to find solutions to the numerous service delivery shortcomings facing Ward 18. The ward covers Borrowdale, Borrowdale Brooke, Helensvale, Greystone Park, Carrick Creagh, Crowhill, Philadelphia and surrounding areas.

At Tuesday’s meeting, BRRA chairperson Mr Robert Mutyasira expressed disappointment with the local authority’s unwillingness and incapacity to fully execute resolutions made in previous meetings with residents.

He highlighted the commitment residents have shown through completing several projects and still working on others using their own money and resources. Mr Mutyasira said the residents’ association expects the municipality to reciprocate these efforts by cooperating and abandoning its lethargic attitude.

Several issues were raised during the meeting, including poor enforcement of by-laws, corruption and a disconnect between council departments.

The proliferation of illegal activities within Ward 18 was cited as evidence of the city’s limited commitment to addressing residents’ concerns. Residents expressed dissatisfaction with the Development Control Unit’s failure to eliminate illegal activities that are in open violation of city by-laws. The unit’s representative Mr James Mazvimba explained that legal protocols often hinder swift action. In response, residents offered to assist with enforcement whenever the department faces resource constraints.

Residents also highlighted concerns about roadside vendors and construction and heavy duty plant and equipment placed on the roadsides where the owners station themselves in search of clients.

The chaotic situation at the Helensvale Shopping Centre was also discussed at the meeting. The city’s failure to address these issues was seen as a lack of authority and commitment.

Water supply remains a major concern with residents experiencing erratic supplies.

Mr Felix Marodza, representing the water department, assured the meeting that efforts were being made to achieve equitable distribution of water.

However, some areas that have been fortunate to receive some supplies will now be deprived on certain days to allow pumping to other areas including several suburbs in Ward 18. The shortage of water purifying chemicals and the need for better management of sewage effluent were also raised.

Council officials from the roads and waste management departments acknowledged the assistance residents have provided in their areas.

The BRRA spearheaded a bus stop project at Helensvale Shopping Centre and a corporate entity in the area contributed resources for pothole patching. The waste management department announced plans to decentralise waste management so that refuse compactors are stationed at district offices.

Senior sister at Greystone Park Clinic Mrs Nyamwanza, raised concerns about the clinic’s staffing and lack of medical accessories. The clinic is currently operating with only two instead of seven registered nurses. The BRRA pledged to assist the clinic by committing proceeds from one of their fundraising activities.

The meeting hoped that the presence of Ward 18 Councillor Rufaro Matsika and council regional managers at the meeting demonstrated the commitment of local government officials to address residents’ concerns.