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Prince Sunduzani, Chronicle Reporter
THE new political dispensation in the country is likely to lead to the revival of Bulawayo’s industries by stimulating investment in the city, the Bulawayo City Council has said.

In its annual report, BCC said there was a need for the city to take advantage of the new positive developments in the country by re-configuring and marketing Bulawayo.

The local authority said in 2018, it will strengthen its visibility in other cities for investment promotion.

“Council has been rolling out projects gradually to seek for detailed proposals from the respondents. A number of these are at adjudication stage either as land disposal or procurement.

“There is a lot of optimism that this will stimulate investment in the city, more so with the new positive political dispensation,” reads the report.

“Our plans for 2018 include inter alia, strengthening our relationships with sister cities especially the business chambers with the view to be more visible to the business communities in those cities. It is considered important that the current socio-political and economic environment be taken advantage of by re-defining and marketing the city brand aggressively.”

In the report, BCC said it has exceeded most of its targets in the engineering services.

The city has identified projects for 2018 in housing, rehabilitation of roads and lighting among others.

Funding for the projects will be derived from the council’s internal resources, Zimbabwe National Road Administration (ZINARA) and from the Africa Development bank (AFDB)

“Council intends to service 670 medium density residential stands in Mahatshula in partnership with CBZ and a memorandum of understanding has been signed.

“ Egodini redevelopment designs have been done, tenders for contractors have also been done. The administrative takeover of northern areas formalities are already in process. Council will also undertake the rehabilitation of wastewater treatment plants, mainly Waterford, Luveve, Thorngrove and SAST,” the report reads.

During the years, council plans to replace domestic and non-domestic water meters, service 4 890 stands, service new areas and rehabilitate the city’s roads .

The local authority will also install solar street lights on pilot basis along 10th avenue between Basch and Herbert Chitepo roads and along Masiyephambili Drive.—@PrinceNkosy102