City of Bulawayo finance director Kimpton Ndimande says the city’s parking management system is here to stay despite an outcry from residents, motorists and other stakeholders.
The parking system is being implemented in partnership with Tendy Three Investments (TTI).
Motorists are currently paying US$1 or the equivalent in other currencies to park in the city centre for an hour.
This has not gone down well with motorists who argue that the parking fees are exorbitant and the system is not flexible to allow them to move to another parking bay without paying extra.
Speaking at a donation event, where TTI was handing over food hampers to vulnerable members of the community, Ndimande emphasized that the project is now a permanent feature in the city.
“The parking system is ours and it is here to stay and we will continue fine-tuning it,” he declared.
This comes at a time when the local authority and TTI have been dragged to court by a Bulawayo-based lawyer over the controversial project.
Opposition political party, ZAPU, is also mulling taking legal action against the parking system.
Ndimande insisted that the parking system had brought order to the city centre and will promote healthy living among the residents.
“The parking system is bringing a lot of benefits to the city of Bulawayo. We want to eradicate unhealthy lifestyles that have seen some residents developing pot bellies. The reason why people are asking to be allowed to move to other bays without paying more is that they want to move around in their cars instead of walking,” he said.
Ndimande also heaped praise at the TTI parking marshals saying they have brought order in the city by ensuring that motorists park properly and those who violate the city-by laws are clamped,
He said funds collected from the project will be used to fix the roads in the city.
