Thupeyo Muleya, Beitbridge Bureau
THE Ministry of Local Government, Public Works and National Housing has approved a request by Beitbridge town council to upgrade to municipal status.

The town’s status was reviewed by Government in recognition of its strategic role in the country’s economic development.

Beitbridge town secretary, Mr Loud Ramakgapola confirmed the developments yesterday.

“We have since received the communication from Minister (of Local Government, Public Works and National Housing) Saviour Kasukuwere on the latest development. The matter has been referred to President Mugabe for his final decision and legal processes,” he said.

“We anxiously wait for the matter to be brought to its finality through all the necessary channels.

“At the moment we are failing to get revenue inflows so that we embark on meaningful projects. You will note that we are also owed $20 million by residents and business and this has slowed down our development plans”.

Mr Ramakgapola said the town had lined up a number of infrastructural development project as they strive to turn the border town into a medium modern city.

Hs said some of the works include tarring of major roads, upgrading of Dulivhadzimo Bus Terminus and property development.

The port town has an estimated population of 70 000 and about 13 000 people pass through it daily.

According to a letter from Cde Kasukuwere, addressed to the town council chairperson, Councillor Showa Moyo, Beitbridge has recorded phenomenal growth since attaining town status in 2006.

Reads part of the letter; “Following the Consultative Commission’s deliberations at your Council, and after careful consideration of all the information pertinent to the conferment of the municipal status I have been satisfied by your socio-economic progress to date and therefore decided that your Council qualifies for the desired elevation.

“Consequently, the requisite legal procedures to ultimately proclaim your council to a municipality by His Excellency, the President in terms of the Urban Councils Act (Chapter 29:15), are being pursued and you shall be accordingly informed to the effective date.”

The decision by Government to grant Beitbridge town municipal status follows the appointment of a commission led by Ms Erica Jones, a principal director in the ministry to look into the local authority’s request.

Through the National Economic Development  Priority Programme (NEDPP), Government came up with the Beitbridge Redevelopment Programme in 2006. The project is meant to transform the port into a modern medium city.

Under the programme the construction of a total of 16 blocks of flats to house 64 families, mainly civil servants, 250 core houses for home ownership, 52 F14 houses for civil servants, road dualisation, upgrading water supply and sewer infrastructure in the town, was to be undertaken.

Other institutional facilities include; a new hospital, primary school, secondary school, civic centre, Government composite office block, modern truck inn, shopping complex, a five star hotel, an aerodrome and the upgrading of the border post to meet world class standards.

Some of the projects are nearing completion, while others have been completed.

It is estimated that the government needs $10 million to complete the outstanding works on under the redevelopment programme.

 

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