The Bulawayo City Council (BCC) has urged residents to support Tendy Three Investment (TTI) as the company works on improving security in parking bays.
This call was made by Engineer Howard Sibanda during a budget consultation meeting in Ward 17 on Tuesday.
TTI operates the smart parking system in Bulawayo through a public-private partnership with BCC. During the meeting, Engineer Sibanda highlighted the security benefits TTI brings to the city.
“When we hired TTI, we wanted a partner who could provide advanced software. The parking system includes software to count vehicles in the city, increase visibility, and enhance security. The employees monitoring the parking can recognize drivers and detect when someone unfamiliar approaches.”
“TTI has contributed US$2.2 million for the software and equipment. They are currently installing cameras in parking areas across the city to improve surveillance,” he said.
Engineer Sibanda acknowledged that the benefits of TTI’s involvement might not yet be apparent to residents. However, he explained that TTI is a technological partner, and after six years, the local authority will take over the parking system.
“The benefits may not be immediately clear, but TTI is a technological partner. Our plan is for TTI to operate and then transfer the system to the council after six years. We are taking 30 percent from TTI, but TTI is responsible for paying employees, ZIMRA, and NASSA. All those costs remain with them,” he said.
He added, “We hope that by the time we take over in year six, the technology will have been significantly improved. Currently, there are few projects in the city generating such revenue, so this is beneficial.”
Engineer Sibanda also addressed concerns about the treatment of residents by TTI employees.
“We address your concerns with TTI daily, including issues of employee behaviour. Remember, parking fees were implemented around 1983 and were abandoned for 20-30 years. Acceptance of the new system can be challenging. The issue of parking is stipulated in the Urban Councils Act.”
He encouraged residents to use the call centre number on parking slips to report any issues and reminded them that concerns could also be addressed at council offices dealing with parking.
Engineer Sibanda concluded, “We ask that you embrace the changes. All offences that TTI enforces are outlined in the VID guidelines. Please support the project.”
