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Michael Magoronga, [email protected]

KWEKWE City Council has taken delivery of equipment and service vehicles all valued at US$675 000 as the local authority seeks to enhance service delivery.

Besides five Toyota Hilux GD6 single cab utility vehicles, which will be distributed to various departments all costing US$167 915, the local authority has purchased 10 skip bins for US$27 984, a grader for US$315 675 and front end loader for US$155 350.

The council also purchased a speed boat worth US$6 500 for the monitoring of activities within the Sebakwe Dam catchment area, which has been affected by illegal mining and fishing activities that threaten the quality of water.

The speed boat is also expected to be used for tourism purposes on the same dam. City mayor, Councillor Albert Zinhanga, said all the funds used were from council coffers.

“We are proud to notify you that all US$675 424 was paid in cash and we used our own revenue to purchase the equipment,” he said. 

“This is only but the beginning of greater things to come. The development shows that council and management are united for one purpose, which is improved service delivery.”

Clr Zinhanga hailed the residents for paying their bills, which has necessitated the latest development.

“I want to thank the residents of the City of Kwekwe for paying their rates as they are playing their role in ensuring that we give them uncompromised service delivery. They are playing their part and we will reciprocate by giving them quality service,” he said.

Officially commissioning the equipment,  Minister of State for Midlands Provincial Affairs and Devolution, Owen Ncube, said the development was a true reflection that the country was indeed in the hands of its owners.

“The equipment I am commissioning today was procured using council’s own revenue, totaling over US$600 000, which is commendable since residents deserve improved service delivery from the payments they make to council,” he said. 

“Furthermore, this underscores the Second Republic’s philosphy: ‘Nyika inovakwa, igotongwa, igonamatirwa nevene vayo.’”

Minister Ncube said besides being one of the cleanest cities in the country, Kwekwe was one of the best performing in terms of provincial gross domestic product.

“Kwekwe City is among the top-performing local authorities in the country, anchoring Midlands Provincial GDP growth driven by investments in mining, construction and tourism sectors. As you may be aware, I recently commissioned Machines for Africa, BnB lodges and a shopping mall, confirming the enormous contribution by Kwekwe City towards economic growth and recovery,” he said. 

“I applaud Kwekwe City for implementing His Excellency, the President of the Republic of Zimbabwe, Dr ED Mnangagwa’s ‘Call to Action — No compromise to service delivery’ first stage of interventions to modernise the operations of local authorities towards a 2030 Vision blueprint. Improvement in service delivery is clearly noticeable in your city,” said Minister Ncube.

He said potholes on major roads have been patched, indicating progress in road rehabilitation. 

“Sewer reticulation and water supply systems have been restored but the city should improve its response to burst pipes,” said Minister Ncube.

Kwekwe Central legislator, Judith Tobaiwa, also applauded the local authority for prioritising service delivery and commended rate payers for playing their part.

“I hope this will spread to other local authorities. I want to encourage Kwekwe City to continue working together for the benefit of the residents,” she said.

The delivery of new equipment comes just months after the local authorities took delivery of an ambulance and a 7-tonne truck, a skip bin, a bowser and two service vehicles.