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BCC urged to leverage on its properties
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Bulawayo residents have called on the local authority to leverage its numerous properties across the city to generate revenue, which could improve service delivery. Representatives from the Bulawayo United Progressive Residents Association (BUPRA) and the Bulawayo United Residents Association (BURA) have expressed concern that the city's lack of funds is hindering the provision of essential services.
Thabani Ndlovu, the provincial secretary for administration of BUPRA, and Winos Dube, chairperson of BURA, both highlighted the challenges faced by residents due to the council's financial constraints. They pointed to the presence of illegal dumpsites in various areas of the city, which have become a major health hazard. Ndlovu emphasized that a significant portion of the city's population, about 90%, is informally employed, with few residents able to pay rates, exacerbating the financial difficulties of the local authority.
"Most residents are not employed, and about 90% of the population is not formally employed, so few can afford to pay rates. This has led to poor service delivery," Ndlovu said. "The issue of poor sanitation is evident, with frequent sewer bursts throughout the city."
Ndlovu further suggested that the council should explore its properties, such as farms, to generate additional revenue. He referenced the past, when Ingwebu Brewery, a council-owned enterprise, helped sustain the local authority's finances and supported better service delivery. However, he lamented that the privatisation of Ingwebu had resulted in a loss of this important revenue stream.
"The privatisation of Ingwebu Brewery led to a loss of revenue, and now the council relies heavily on rates paid by residents and donations," Ndlovu said. "This has left the city unable to manage waste properly, with illegal dumpsites causing environmental degradation."
Dube echoed these concerns, noting that the current economic environment makes it difficult for local authorities to provide adequate services. He said residents have been pushing for the council to make better use of its properties, particularly the farms, to raise funds for public services.
"If the council could utilize its properties like farms and invest in productive projects like the Ingwebu Brewery once did, it would generate funds to improve service delivery," Dube said. "Currently, the council relies on donations, which are uncertain and have made the situation worse."
The residents' plea comes at a time when financial challenges are intensifying in the city, and they are calling for innovative solutions to help address the pressing service delivery issues.
Thabani Ndlovu, the provincial secretary for administration of BUPRA, and Winos Dube, chairperson of BURA, both highlighted the challenges faced by residents due to the council's financial constraints. They pointed to the presence of illegal dumpsites in various areas of the city, which have become a major health hazard. Ndlovu emphasized that a significant portion of the city's population, about 90%, is informally employed, with few residents able to pay rates, exacerbating the financial difficulties of the local authority.
"Most residents are not employed, and about 90% of the population is not formally employed, so few can afford to pay rates. This has led to poor service delivery," Ndlovu said. "The issue of poor sanitation is evident, with frequent sewer bursts throughout the city."
Ndlovu further suggested that the council should explore its properties, such as farms, to generate additional revenue. He referenced the past, when Ingwebu Brewery, a council-owned enterprise, helped sustain the local authority's finances and supported better service delivery. However, he lamented that the privatisation of Ingwebu had resulted in a loss of this important revenue stream.
Dube echoed these concerns, noting that the current economic environment makes it difficult for local authorities to provide adequate services. He said residents have been pushing for the council to make better use of its properties, particularly the farms, to raise funds for public services.
"If the council could utilize its properties like farms and invest in productive projects like the Ingwebu Brewery once did, it would generate funds to improve service delivery," Dube said. "Currently, the council relies on donations, which are uncertain and have made the situation worse."
The residents' plea comes at a time when financial challenges are intensifying in the city, and they are calling for innovative solutions to help address the pressing service delivery issues.
Source - newsday
