News / Local
Bulawayo diverts cemetery funds to fix public toilets
2 hrs ago |
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Bulawayo City Council has diverted ZWG$400 000 originally budgeted for construction works at Pumula South Cemetery towards rehabilitating public toilets at Pelandaba and Njube shopping centres.
According to a recent council report, ZWG$200 000 will be allocated to each shopping centre to improve the condition of public conveniences.
"Under the approved transfer, ZWG$200 000 will be channelled toward rehabilitating public conveniences at Pelandaba Shopping Centre, while another ZWG$200 000 will be used for the Njube Shopping Centre facilities," the report stated.
The health services department defended the decision, explaining that public convenience rehabilitation projects were funded through ward retention projects.
The reallocation comes amid concerns over the condition of ablution facilities in the city, with the council seeking to address infrastructure needs at busy public shopping centres.
In a separate development, council approved the transfer of funds to settle outstanding costs for surveying equipment being supplied to the town planning department.
The local authority awarded a US$240 349.50 tender to Harare-based Tool-post Enterprises (Pvt) Ltd for the supply and delivery of surveying equipment.
The contract was signed on April 22, 2026, with deliveries and payments being made in stages to manage the council's cash flow.
The report said equipment worth US$135 827 had already been delivered and paid for before a further consignment, which included a plotter, arrived.
However, the department reported that the plotter invoice amounted to ZWL128 500, while only ZWL106 500 remained in the relevant budget allocation, leaving a shortfall that prevented payment from being processed.
Council subsequently approved a budget transfer, known as a virement, to cover the outstanding amount for the equipment already delivered.
Meanwhile, the council's department of works has also received approval to spend ZWG$700 000 towards payment for a D7 bulldozer, although further details on the transaction were not provided in the report.
According to a recent council report, ZWG$200 000 will be allocated to each shopping centre to improve the condition of public conveniences.
"Under the approved transfer, ZWG$200 000 will be channelled toward rehabilitating public conveniences at Pelandaba Shopping Centre, while another ZWG$200 000 will be used for the Njube Shopping Centre facilities," the report stated.
The health services department defended the decision, explaining that public convenience rehabilitation projects were funded through ward retention projects.
The reallocation comes amid concerns over the condition of ablution facilities in the city, with the council seeking to address infrastructure needs at busy public shopping centres.
In a separate development, council approved the transfer of funds to settle outstanding costs for surveying equipment being supplied to the town planning department.
The local authority awarded a US$240 349.50 tender to Harare-based Tool-post Enterprises (Pvt) Ltd for the supply and delivery of surveying equipment.
The contract was signed on April 22, 2026, with deliveries and payments being made in stages to manage the council's cash flow.
The report said equipment worth US$135 827 had already been delivered and paid for before a further consignment, which included a plotter, arrived.
However, the department reported that the plotter invoice amounted to ZWL128 500, while only ZWL106 500 remained in the relevant budget allocation, leaving a shortfall that prevented payment from being processed.
Council subsequently approved a budget transfer, known as a virement, to cover the outstanding amount for the equipment already delivered.
Meanwhile, the council's department of works has also received approval to spend ZWG$700 000 towards payment for a D7 bulldozer, although further details on the transaction were not provided in the report.
Source - Southern Eye
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