News / National
Beitbridge councillors breathe fire
26 Nov 2018 at 06:21hrs | Views
BEITBRIDGE town councillors have allegedly unsettled sections of the executive in the local authority with numerous strict demands for clarity, accountability and transparency.
The councillors, all from the MDC Alliance, are reportedly demanding timeous completion of projects, rapid response to calls and express service delivery.
Council workers are reportedly uneasy and on their toes as the councillors insist on a refined pro-people approach, with finer details of the local authority's activities.
A council worker, speaking on condition of anonymity, said the new council led by mayor Morgan Ncube was probing all arms of the local authority and even questioning the capacity of some of the senior employees.
"They have requested to see the qualifications of management and see which areas needed to be overhauled in line with their vision for city status within their first term. They have reacted to complaints from residents, some of whom have gone for years without running water," said the source.
Ncube refused to be drawn into commenting, but said their service was according to what people required and deserved.
"We are doing the work people want us to do. We must work for the people without fear," he said.
"When they returned from a meeting with their minister, they appeared changed and more focused," the source said.
"They have also looked at projects that have not been completed, with particular attention on sewer bursts, allocation of stands and the general handling of resources of the local authority. Executive staff have been asked many questions.'
Top among their list, the source said, are unfinished projects rolled over several financial years.
Last week, they reportedly asked why roads were in such a sorry state, with some showing no sign of having been attended to at all.
Councillors have also queried numerous double allocations of residential stands.
The Southern Eye understands the councillors were also eager to know why some houses, whose owners had fully paid for services, did not have water or sewer connections.
Close to 6 000 houses in Beitbridge, where approximately 24 000 people live, have no water or sewer connections despite having fully paid for these services.
"They also questioned fuel allocations, and in particular why a refuse truck with a capacity of 180 litres was allocated 300 litres fuel each time it refuelled. They are too serious and some of our bosses are worried," the source added.
Local Government minister July Moyo recently told councillors to have futuristic plans, with 100-day targets to ensure maximum service delivery to residents.
Moyo said councillors should serve people honestly and achieve goals towards uplifting the living conditions of urban dwellers.
Most of the towns' roads are riddled with potholes and residents complain of erratic refuse collection and water woes.
The councillors, all from the MDC Alliance, are reportedly demanding timeous completion of projects, rapid response to calls and express service delivery.
Council workers are reportedly uneasy and on their toes as the councillors insist on a refined pro-people approach, with finer details of the local authority's activities.
A council worker, speaking on condition of anonymity, said the new council led by mayor Morgan Ncube was probing all arms of the local authority and even questioning the capacity of some of the senior employees.
"They have requested to see the qualifications of management and see which areas needed to be overhauled in line with their vision for city status within their first term. They have reacted to complaints from residents, some of whom have gone for years without running water," said the source.
Ncube refused to be drawn into commenting, but said their service was according to what people required and deserved.
"We are doing the work people want us to do. We must work for the people without fear," he said.
"When they returned from a meeting with their minister, they appeared changed and more focused," the source said.
"They have also looked at projects that have not been completed, with particular attention on sewer bursts, allocation of stands and the general handling of resources of the local authority. Executive staff have been asked many questions.'
Last week, they reportedly asked why roads were in such a sorry state, with some showing no sign of having been attended to at all.
Councillors have also queried numerous double allocations of residential stands.
The Southern Eye understands the councillors were also eager to know why some houses, whose owners had fully paid for services, did not have water or sewer connections.
Close to 6 000 houses in Beitbridge, where approximately 24 000 people live, have no water or sewer connections despite having fully paid for these services.
"They also questioned fuel allocations, and in particular why a refuse truck with a capacity of 180 litres was allocated 300 litres fuel each time it refuelled. They are too serious and some of our bosses are worried," the source added.
Local Government minister July Moyo recently told councillors to have futuristic plans, with 100-day targets to ensure maximum service delivery to residents.
Moyo said councillors should serve people honestly and achieve goals towards uplifting the living conditions of urban dwellers.
Most of the towns' roads are riddled with potholes and residents complain of erratic refuse collection and water woes.
Source - newsday
