NEW: City launches inventory audit on road servitudes and wetlands

Online Reporter

The Harare City Council has launched an inventory audit on road servitudes and wetlands in the capital.

This aligns with a Call to Action launched by President Mnangagwa in November last year.

The blueprint ensures all local authorities deliver services in sync with the targets set under Vision 2030.

Among the areas of concern identified in the Call to Action are the leasing and selling of land in servitudes and wetlands by local authorities.

Speaking today, Harare City Council town clerk, Engineer Hosiah Chisango, said: “It was noted with great concern that leasing land on road servitudes has contributed significantly to congestion levels in Metropolitan Provinces.

“To address these concerns raised by His Excellency, the Government has mandated local authorities, including the City of Harare, to include specific clauses in lease agreements pertaining to road servitudes.”

In response President Mnangagwa’s call, the Harare City Council has established a dedicated thematic group consisting of individuals with expertise in land management and administration.

“The primary goal of this group is to address the Government’s concerns regarding the leasing of land on road servitudes and wetlands,” said Eng Chisango.

He said the audit must be conducted with the utmost professionalism, integrity and adherence to a strict code of conduct.

Eng Chisango said each member of the thematic group must approach the task with the highest sense of responsibility, ensuring that they act in the best interest of the Government, council and the people.

“Transparency and accountability should guide every step of this process, the data collected must be accurate, comprehensive and reliable,” he said.

“The audit must be conducted in a fair and unbiased manner, without favoritism or prejudice towards any party involved.

“I have confidence in the abilities and dedication of the individuals comprising this thematic group.”

Eng Chisango emphasised the importance of the exercise, not only to the Government, but also to the City of Harare and the community at large.