CommuTalk Reporter
GWERU residents have welcomed improved services noting that the recent road rehabilitation exercise and installation of functional traffic lights is a sign that their plights are being taken into consideration.
Gweru had gone for more than five years with no functional traffic light nor were the roads trafficable.
“We had already forgotten that a functional city needs traffic lights. The only thing that would remind us of functional lights was the homework our kids brought home for assistance,” said a resident, Tsitsi Chananda.
“It is a good development that traffic lights have been reinstalled but we hope council will take swift action to reinstall the traffic light that connects Main Street and Bulawayo Road,” added a resident, Moreblessing Chinoda.
Residents have however lamented long hours of water rationing.
“Traffic lights have come but water has remained a challenge. Some locations are going for weeks without running water and council should prioritise that. Refuse collection has also remained a challenge as council has shown no clear cut timetable to be collecting garbage,” said Gweru Residenta and Ratepayers Association director Cornelia Selipiwe.
The Gweru City Council attributed the recorded success to collaborative efforts between the local authority and central government while acknowledging water challenges still being faced by residents.
“One thing people need to understand is that we are part of the government. If we go it alone, we are bound not to perform as expected. However, as you can see we have managed to achieve this in a short space of time.
“We are also getting help from the CMED. Water has remained a challenge but we are doing this in a phased approach and we hope to get there,” said Gweru Mayor Martin Chivhoko.
