By Flata Kavinga
Kwekwe Ward 8 Cllr Edumakomborero Mlambo has urged residents to settle their council bills, saying improved revenue collection is essential for the local authority to maintain and improve service delivery.
Speaking on the sidelines of a Ward 8 feedback meeting held at Amaveni Hall on Tuesday Mlambo said the meeting was convened to brief residents on development priorities following the signing of performance contracts by local authorities and in line with the Government’s Call to Action blueprint.
He said residents were encouraged to pay their rates, avoid indiscriminate dumping of litter and work with council to address community challenges.
“The major issue is revenue collection. Residents expect quality services after paying their rates and council also requires adequate revenue to provide those services. We therefore urge residents to settle their bills,” said Mlambo.
He said low revenue collection affects council’s ability to purchase water treatment chemicals and maintain infrastructure, resulting in intermittent water supplies.
According to Mlambo, water shortages are not always deliberate, citing electricity outages at the city’s waterworks and ageing infrastructure as some of the challenges affecting water distribution.
He said council was working to improve the water reticulation system, including addressing burst pipes and restoring water supplies to affected households in parts of L, R, S and B sections of Amaveni.
Mlambo added that council was exploring long-term measures, including the establishment of a solar power plant, to reduce disruptions caused by power outages at the waterworks.
On road infrastructure, he said rehabilitation works were underway in the ward, while tower lights and street lights had been installed to improve public lighting.
He said the feedback meeting formed part of ongoing engagement between the councillor and residents to discuss service delivery priorities and community concerns.
