Bulawayo councillors have questioned the cost of projects being funded through the Ward Retention Fund, particularly the rehabilitation of tower lights and the installation of street lights.
The concerns were raised during a Council meeting while councillors considered an updated Ward Retention Report incorporating comments submitted after the report was circulated by the Finance and Development Committee.
Councillor Felix Madzana said some of the costs appeared excessive, particularly for tower light rehabilitation, which he said mainly involved replacing vandalised armoured cables and bulbs.
“The pricing of some of the project repair components is too high, especially in the rehabilitation of tower lights and installation of street lights,” Madzana said.
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“Most of the tower lights have vandalised armoured cables and bulbs. The figure in the report is very high.”
Madzana suggested that Council could consider a model similar to the Constituency Development Fund, under which Members of Parliament identify projects and obtain quotations for the work.
Mayor David Coltart, however, cautioned councillors against becoming directly involved in procurement.
“It would not be prudent to use the CDF scheme model. Councillors should not be involved in procurement issues,” Coltart said.
He urged councillors to study the Ward Retention Report and engage Council management on projects required in their respective wards.
Coltart also directed Council to prepare a memorandum outlining the procedures councillors should follow when dealing with Ward Retention Fund projects.
The cost of concrete streetlight poles also came under scrutiny.
Councillor Nkosinathi Mpofu questioned the cost of supplying the poles, saying each unit was costing more than US$1,000.
“There is need to establish cheaper and durable materials,” Mpofu said.
Councillor Mxolisi Mahlangu supported the proposal, suggesting that Council could manufacture the concrete poles internally to reduce costs.
“The concrete poles for street lighting could be done internally. This would allow Council to save a lot of money,” Mahlangu said.
The Acting Director of Works, however, said the cost of installing solar street lights was also increasing, citing installations along Masiyephambili Drive where each unit cost US$1,500.
Councillor Donaldson Mabuto called for greater consultation between the Ward Retention team and communities before projects are selected.
He proposed that the team visit all wards and engage councillors and ward committees to identify projects required in each area.
Councillor Khalazani Ndlovu called for the report to be deferred until councillors had been provided with more information.
“Councillors need more information to make a sound decision,” Ndlovu said, proposing that the report be considered at a Special Council meeting.
Town Clerk Christopher Dube said Council had established an interdepartmental team to oversee the Ward Retention Fund.
He said the team reported directly to him and would engage each ward councillor on projects to be implemented.
“Every Ward Councillor will be invited to present the ward project to the team,” Dube said.
Council subsequently resolved that each ward councillor should engage the interdepartmental Ward Retention Committee and submit projects for their respective wards.
The Ward Retention Fund is intended to support infrastructure and service delivery projects across the city’s 29 wards, with councillors now seeking greater clarity on project costs, procurement procedures and community consultation.
Editorial note: I have kept the figures and quotations exactly as supplied. The story follows the Asakhe/BBC principles of a strong, direct lead, active voice, short paragraphs and clear attribution.
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