Tinaani Nyabereka
Gweru- City Council on Monday (April 25) revealed that the dates for the traffic arbitration court has been set for May 4, 2022.
The communique (from the Magistrate court who is the arbitrator) was read yesterday during a full council meeting held at Gweru municipal offices.
The issue of Gweru traffic lights has been hanging for the past seven years as a contractor Emobuild, which was given the tender to install street lights was accused of doing a half baked job as the lights became dysfunctional soon after installation in 2013.
The total cost of the project was US$500 000, while council is said to be owing the contractor US $46 000 TellZim News has established.
Speaking on the development, Gweru Council acting director of Engineering Services Praymore Mhlanga said he received a communique stating that the arbitration date has been set for May4-6, 2022.
“I have just received a statement which is informing us as council that the arbitration case regarding our traffic lights has been set for May 4-6 2022,” he said.
Gweru council deputy mayor Cleopas Shiri who is also ward 5 councilor welcomed the development saying the issue was supposed to be dealt with for good.
“We welcome the court update regarding the issue of traffic lights which has been long overdue. We hope this time the case is going to be heard once and for all. The resolution to engage the minister on the matter will for now stand as a guard,” he said.
Ward 18 councillor Edson Kurebgaseka said a number of accidents have since been recorded in the Central Business District (CBD) due to the absence of functional traffic lights.
“A number of accidents have been recorded in the CBD. We have received a number of reports being attributed to the absence of lights in town. The issue of dates being postponed has greatly affected us to come out with a resolution towards the reinstallation of traffic lights.
“As a committee, we need work to be done once and for all and if possible we want to fix the lights ourselves. We cannot go on looking for contractors who cannot do their jobs well,” said Kurebgaseka.
Meanwhile Gweru City Council is planning to engage the Local Government, Public Works and National Housing minister on the issue of traffic lights.
However ward 13 councilor Catherine Mhondiwa said before engaging the minister on the matter of traffic lights as proposed by council, there was need to give the courts their time to determine the issue at hand.
“Before council write the letter to the responsible minister, there is need to allow court proceedings to be finalized and thus give the courts their time to solve the issue at hand,” said Mhondiwa.
Ward 7 councillor Gideon Mugariri echoed the same sentiments saying the issue of engaging the minister was supposed to be documented first.
“We need to have this resolution documented for us to engage the minister on a round table,” he said.
