City of Gweru Mayor Charles Chikozho
…as supplier fails to raise foreign currency
Itai Muzondo in Gweru
GWERU – What had seemed good news for Gweru’s ailing service delivery system has once again turned out to be another nightmare after the city decided to re-tender supply of US$1.2 million worth of service delivery machinery following the supplier failure to deliver.
City of Gweru Mayor Charles Chikozho said the supplier failed to raise the required foreign currency to import the equipment which the city urgently requires to lessen acute service delivery backlogs.
“Council will re-tender the supply of earthmoving machinery to the State Procurement Board (SPB) following the failure by the previous supplier to deliver the equipment. The supplier cited inability to secure foreign currency needed to purchase the equipment.
“The equipment is needed as soon as possible because we have a serious backlog. Pressing projects include that of Mkoba 21 and Randolf project along Shurugwi Road which has been on hold for more than 10 years,” Chikozho said.
“We approached both the Ministry of Finance and the Ministry of Local Government. Promises came but we kept being told to wait although no feedback or anything came our way until now,” Chikozho added.
Gweru Residents and Ratepayers Association chairperson Conilia Selipiwe said they are now losing trust in the new authorities who took over after the dismissal of Hamutendi Kombayi on allegations of abuse of office.
“We are yet to meet council so that we get answers for many unfulfilled promises. We are seeing very little if any change happening in the city since these guys got into office. If it continues like this, all hope will be eroded and we will be back to square one,” Selipiwe said.local
