News / Local
Bulawayo mayor irked by rampant fires in the city
07 Feb 2016 at 05:56hrs | Views
The Bulawayo Mayor Councillor Martin Moyo has expressed concerns over alarming rate of fire outbreaks.
This was revealed in the latest council minutes.
"He said that Council was adversely affected as there was no revenue collection
during this process. Affected residents were unable to pay call fees because of the current economic situation. He suggested that home owners should insure their homes/properties against disasters such as fire," reads the minutes.
"In response the Acting Town Clerk Sikhangezile Zhou advised that the authorised establishment for ambulances was 115 and the actual permanent establishment was 50. There was a variance of 65 hence the decline in service delivery. Most of the ambulances had reached their five year lifespan as they had been in service for ten years. Council had manpower, machinery and equipment challenges. In the current budget, provision was made to procure four ambulances which would improve the current situation."
The minutes states that she confirmed that Council had in the past received requests from residents for write off of fire charges, however the requests had not been acceded to.
"Council had proposed the introduction of a fire levy to assist residents who had no insurance policies but the relevant Ministry had objected to/not supported this," reads the minutes.
This was revealed in the latest council minutes.
"He said that Council was adversely affected as there was no revenue collection
during this process. Affected residents were unable to pay call fees because of the current economic situation. He suggested that home owners should insure their homes/properties against disasters such as fire," reads the minutes.
"In response the Acting Town Clerk Sikhangezile Zhou advised that the authorised establishment for ambulances was 115 and the actual permanent establishment was 50. There was a variance of 65 hence the decline in service delivery. Most of the ambulances had reached their five year lifespan as they had been in service for ten years. Council had manpower, machinery and equipment challenges. In the current budget, provision was made to procure four ambulances which would improve the current situation."
The minutes states that she confirmed that Council had in the past received requests from residents for write off of fire charges, however the requests had not been acceded to.
"Council had proposed the introduction of a fire levy to assist residents who had no insurance policies but the relevant Ministry had objected to/not supported this," reads the minutes.
Source - Byo24News
