By Heather Buzuzi
MUTARE – Manica Youth Assembly (MAYA) convened a youth forum in the eastern city on September 24 at CCAP Hilltop Sakubva to discuss service delivery issues with residents.
The forum brought together youth leaders and officials from the City of Mutare to discuss urgent service delivery challenges under the theme “Enhancing Youth Participation and Agency in Local Public Service Delivery in Mutare Urban District.”
James Mutisi, a representative of people with disabilities (PWDs), spoke about the inaccessibility of public buildings like City Hall and called for the availability of sign language speakers at public service institutions like hospitals.
“We urgently need renovations to make these spaces accessible for everyone. We also call for relevant authorities to make sure there are sign language speakers at public institutions and it is prudent to also introduce a sign language school,” said Mutisi.
Comfort Chirombe, a resident raised concern over ongoing water shortages in Sakubva OTS and Chisamba singles. He further urged the community to report corruption among city council workers, saying transparency and accountability were key to improving service delivery.
Current Maguruwada another resident voiced her concerns about Dangamvura’s expanding population, saying available facilities are not adequate. She said there was need for the establishment of more clinics and schools in the area.
“The population in Danagamvura continues to increase every day but we still have the same facilities. We need more schools and clinics to cater for the everincreasing population. We are also seeing an increase in violence because of poor lighting at night, so there is need for tower lights,” said Maruguwada.
From Garikai 2, Blessing Chitema expressed frustration over a broken sewer pipe in St Joseph’s that contaminates the Sakubva River, a vital resource for local farmers and fishermen. He also lamented the slow pace of development in Gimboki area.
City of Mutare legal officer Lonely Tauya who was representing the local authority at the event, said council had taken note of the concerns, saying some of the issues raised were not the local authority’s responsibility.
“Traffic congestion near the flyover, for example, is due to poor road networks that we don’t fully manage. However, as council we are proposing to introduce a road fund for road maintenance.
“The 5percent increase in levies is necessary due to rising costs for electricity and water services so I urge residents to also hold these entities accountable as well,” said Tauya.
On the issue of Garikai 2 and Gimboki, Tauya emphasized that services could not be extended to areas where residents have not made financial contributions.
