The Sunday Mail
The opposition-dominated Harare City Council says it is approaching private business operators to accommodate vendors.
The local authority will also charge telecommunication companies for any material laid underground and track the movements of all commuter omnibuses in the city.
This is contained in the city’s 100-Day Quick Wins Rapid Results Initiative to be launched this week.
The council also says it will prioritise road resurfacing, clean water supply, street and traffic lights, and a bus transport system.
The Harare council, controlled by opposition councillors since the turn of the millennium, has in the past been accused by residents of misplaced priorities, corruption and maladministration.
New Harare Mayor councilor Herbert Gomba said the local authority was targeting the CBD in its 100-day plan, before moving to residential areas.
“We have a facility, the last council borrowed US$30 million, we have used US$12 million, so that will be used for capacitation,” he said.
“We have since identified the CBD as the starting point for resealing of roads, water pipes. We have also identified priority areas such as roads and water pipes which we will work on before the onset of rains.
“This week we will be launching our 100-day work plan. Under the plan we will prioritise water service delivery, roads, street lighting as well as increasing income generating projects for the city.
“In terms of income generating projects we have identified the charging of Zesa and other communication companies who are laying cables and not being charged.
“Management is working on improving water supply and its quality. We have engaged an expert from Netherlands, the company is called Vitens Eviden and it will advise us on how to improve the quality of water and the billing system.
“In terms of refuse collection, we are going to float a tender to call for people who would want to partner the council in converting waste to energy.
“In the last two days we have been engaging some of the business premises who will able to take in 1 300 vendors.
“We already have bus termini around the city, these are going to be spruced up and we will have them accommodate more vendors.
He added: “Some of them will be taken up by private businesses where they will be offered places to sell their wares.
‘‘As we speak director of housing is engaging businesses on that issue.
“In terms of traffic we are working with the parent ministry so that we reintroduce a bus transport system. In addition we are also going to introduce a tracking system for commuter omnibuses. The kombis will forced to buy the tracking device during vehicle registration.”
Urban planning expect Prof Innocent Chirisa said there was need for councils to embrace technology.
“They must ensure that processes within the local authority are clearly captured and conveyed through ICTs.
“We talking of e-planning, billing and management of urban and rural management. Adopting GIS and remote sensing can assist one to see, from office, what is happening on the ground in real time.”
