Bulawayo’s ward 13 councillor Frank Javangwe has revealed that about US$184 000 is needed for a private contractor to conduct a topographical survey for the construction of a sewer and road infrastructure system in Iminyela and Mabuthweni.
Residents in the area have been faced with sanitation challenges as they are forced to share ablution facilities.
“The council has no capacity to do that survey, they will look for private contractors and almost US$184 00 is needed for that survey to be conducted. If it is done, residents will be able to construct individual toilets and connect the sewer, at the moment many people have built their toilets but they can’t connect the sewer,” said Cllr Javangwe on the ‘The Breakfast Club’, CITE’s daily current affairs program.
“Those houses are too close together so the sewer system is difficult. This is what I was seized with at the moment with engineers so that something can be done in Iminyela and Mabuthweni. We have since reached an agreement with engineers to have a survey conducted which is called a topographical survey but it will not be conducted by the council.”
He said when the survey is conducted, it will also improve the road infrastructure as the houses were constructed haphazardly.
“What is needed are roads and the sewer system, this is what is a challenge at the moment,” said Cllr Javangwe.
Meanwhile, Councillor Javangwe said residents who have lived in those houses for over 30 years are now given home ownership.
“Residents need home ownership, ever since they got into those houses in the 1950s -1960s, those houses are still under the Bulawayo City Council (BCC) but through the engagements, with the local authority we have now agreed that those who have lived in those houses for over 30 years should be given home ownership,” he said.
He said the residents will however pay some money while those who haven’t reached 30 years, there is a certain amount being charged for the land.
Javangwe said what is stalling the ownership process is the issue of ablution facilities.
“Those houses do not have toilet facilities as they were constructed for bachelors who used to stay there due to employment while based in rural areas. At the moment you find a family of eight staying in one room, a total of 24 people can share one toilet and one bathroom hence that is a challenge especially now when the city is experiencing water challenges,” he said.
“At the moment the council has called those who want to take homeownership of these houses to come forward so that they can have the plan to construct a toilet. If they have money they can construct their individual toilets and pay what is needed at the council, and process their houses to pass for home ownership.”
