Midlands Correspondent
GOKWE Town Council has embarked on massive infrastructural development, which is set to transform the face of the growing urban settlement.
Among the developments is the construction of a town house, which has so far gobbled about $300,000, a stadium, a school and the rehabilitation of the water and sewer reticulation system.
Town secretary, Melania Mandeya told The Chronicle recently that the local authority is funding the projects from its coffers except the water and sewer rehabilitation one, which is being done in partnership with Zinwa and Unicef under the Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (Wash) programme.
She said council has since moved into the town house, which is yet to be completed.
“We’ve moved in our town house but construction is still going on because we felt as council we needed to conduct our business under one roof. We also felt that the rentals, which we were paying can be channelled towards the completion of the town house where the ablution facilities, paving among other developments are still to be completed. So far we’ve spent $290,000 on the project, which we hope will be completed before the end of this year,” said Mandeya.
“As council we’ve set up a school levy, which we’re levying residents for the establishment of a new school in Nyaradza Suburb and so far we’ve made some headway as two classroom blocks are at roof level. We’re also constructing a 5,000-seater multipurpose stadium where work has already started.”
However, the town secretary lamented erratic revenue inflows into council coffers, which she said had resulted in slow progress the implementation of some of council projects in the town.
She cited the poor cotton season as one of the major reasons for the low revenue inflows.