News / Africa
BCC to review its by-laws in the first quarter of this year
05 Jan 2012 at 21:18hrs | Views
BCC will review its by-laws in the first quarter of this year to ensure that they serve the best interests of the city, the Mayor, Councillor Thaba Moyo, has said.
Addressing councillors and departmental heads during the full council meeting at the Council Chambers in Bulawayo on Wednesday, Clr Moyo said the local authority would not hesitate to do away with outdated by-laws.
Although he could not specify the outdated regulations, Clr Moyo said some by-laws had outlived their lifespan and should be thrown into the dustbin.
"We need to review our by-laws and those that no longer work for us should just be thrown into the dust bin," he said.
"Some by-laws are making it difficult for us to operate efficiently and we have no option but to dump them. We will dedicate the first quarter of this year to review these regulations and do away with those that are no longer relevant to the current situation."
Clr Moyo said by-laws play a significant role in regulating the operations of the council.
He admitted that the local authority was not rendering efficient service to residents and challenged the various council departments to improve their operations.
"We have a lot of challenges as a city. For instance our road network is pathetic. We also have problems with the general cleanliness.
"We have problems with funding but before looking for external aid as leaders of the city we must have exhausted all the avenues for fundraising," said Clr Moyo.
He said the departments of finance, health and engineering services were key units that should take the lead in transforming council operations.
Contacted for comment yesterday representatives of residents associations said the review of by-laws was a step in the right direction.
They, however, underscored the need for the council to consult extensively on the issue.
"Yes there is a need to review the city's by-laws as some of them are outdated and tend to retard development. The council should update its systems and keep abreast with the times. In doing so they should consult extensively," said Mr Methuseli
Moyo, the Bulawayo United Residents Association's organising secretary.
Bulawayo Progressive Residents Association (BUPRA) chairman Mr Reason Ngwenya concurred.
"There is nothing wrong with that as long as council involves the residents as much as possible because they are the ones who are affected by the regulations.
"Councillors come and go and on that note residents' participation is paramount. By-laws should not be imposed on us and if council does that we will riot," said Mr Ngwenya.
Addressing councillors and departmental heads during the full council meeting at the Council Chambers in Bulawayo on Wednesday, Clr Moyo said the local authority would not hesitate to do away with outdated by-laws.
Although he could not specify the outdated regulations, Clr Moyo said some by-laws had outlived their lifespan and should be thrown into the dustbin.
"We need to review our by-laws and those that no longer work for us should just be thrown into the dust bin," he said.
"Some by-laws are making it difficult for us to operate efficiently and we have no option but to dump them. We will dedicate the first quarter of this year to review these regulations and do away with those that are no longer relevant to the current situation."
Clr Moyo said by-laws play a significant role in regulating the operations of the council.
He admitted that the local authority was not rendering efficient service to residents and challenged the various council departments to improve their operations.
"We have a lot of challenges as a city. For instance our road network is pathetic. We also have problems with the general cleanliness.
"We have problems with funding but before looking for external aid as leaders of the city we must have exhausted all the avenues for fundraising," said Clr Moyo.
He said the departments of finance, health and engineering services were key units that should take the lead in transforming council operations.
Contacted for comment yesterday representatives of residents associations said the review of by-laws was a step in the right direction.
They, however, underscored the need for the council to consult extensively on the issue.
"Yes there is a need to review the city's by-laws as some of them are outdated and tend to retard development. The council should update its systems and keep abreast with the times. In doing so they should consult extensively," said Mr Methuseli
Moyo, the Bulawayo United Residents Association's organising secretary.
Bulawayo Progressive Residents Association (BUPRA) chairman Mr Reason Ngwenya concurred.
"There is nothing wrong with that as long as council involves the residents as much as possible because they are the ones who are affected by the regulations.
"Councillors come and go and on that note residents' participation is paramount. By-laws should not be imposed on us and if council does that we will riot," said Mr Ngwenya.
Source - Chronicle
