Insiza Rural District Council (IRDC) has outlined plans to develop residential and commercial stands, improve roads and expand social amenities, but says a shortage of funding is slowing progress.
Speaking during a recent stakeholder engagement meeting, IRDC Town Board Administrator Pardon Moyo said the council was preparing land for small businesses and housing while using revenue from stand sales to fund road rehabilitation.
“There is a shortage of funding, but we want to prepare land for SMEs to build spaza shops, light industry stands, and accommodate vendors,” Moyo said.
The council has converted Mswela into a residential area, with surveyed stands now available.
On this topic
Commercial stands are also being sold for US$12,000 for 200 square metres and US$18,000 for 300 square metres. Buyers are required to pay a 30% deposit, with the balance payable over 24 months, according to Moyo.
“Let us buy stands. These are opportunities that are there over and above small and medium enterprises,” he said.
The council is also planning to establish a fenced and partitioned SME zone where small businesses can operate at lower rental rates before moving to larger industrial sites such as Annandale Park.
Moyo said money collected from stand deposits was being used to rehabilitate roads.
The council recently gravelled the road leading to Fred Mine cemetery after it became difficult to use. Moyo said the long-term plan was to tar the road, while drainage and traffic-calming measures would also be considered when funding becomes available.
“We have not finished constructing our roads. We are using the deposits people paid when buying stands, and the balances will be used to finish those roads,” he said.
Health and social amenities
The council also plans to improve waste management and expand social infrastructure.
It has ordered 900 refuse bins, which will be delivered in two batches and sold to residents on a cost-recovery basis.
The council has also acquired a refuse compactor and an excavator to improve its waste management capacity.
Other planned projects include a new clinic, a community hall in Ward 15 and a stadium near the water supply.
The Ward 15 community hall is intended to reduce the council’s reliance on the 12th Apostle Church building for community activities.
Moyo said the planned stadium would be open to residents, while learners at Filabusi High School would be allowed to use it free of charge.
This follows a boundary clarification by the Surveyor General, which showed that the school’s current sports field falls outside its designated property.
The council also plans to upgrade another sports field in Bekezela.
Council urges residents to pay arrears
Moyo urged residents to comply with council by-laws and settle outstanding payments, saying revenue was needed to maintain basic services.
He said residents could face fines for various by-law violations, including a US$20 penalty for failing to clean premises or provide a refuse bin.
A US$200 fine would apply for depositing inappropriate items in sanitary conveniences, while a US$20 penalty would apply for nuisance-related offences.
Moyo also urged residents to participate in the national clean-up campaign held on the first Friday of each month.
He said the council would soon begin door-to-door visits to recover outstanding stand payments, which he said were needed to support service delivery.
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