BULAWAYO councillors have bemoaned the slow pace of development of the city as compared to other towns in the country due to lack of funds.
According to latest full council minutes, deputy mayor Edwin Ndlovu and ward 17 councillor Ashton Mhlanga aired their grievances saying the city recorded low numbers in the construction of new buildings since independence.
“Councillor Edwin Ndlovu said the city development pace was very slow compared to smaller towns and municipalities,” the minutes read.
“Councillor Mhlanga said few buildings were constructed since independence and it was not encouraging.”
Mhlanga said new areas such as Cowdray Park have no commercial centres, resulting in tuckshops sprouting everywhere.
In an interview, Mhlanga said the change of systems has led to slow pace of development within the city.
“In 2016, they changed the process of land development by (introducing) a process of allocating via applications and (adopted) a tender process which contains some frustrating processes,” he said.
The city father said councils there is need to repel the tender system process so that development can be achieved.
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“We need frustrating processes like Zimbabwe Investment Development Agency and Procurement Regulatory Authority of Zimbabwe to be relaxed as they play a big role in the slow pace of development,” Mhlanga said.
“We need to engage residents and all stakeholders so that we understand their needs. We need to create an environment that is transparent in decision making processes.”
Bulawayo United Residents Associated chairperson Winos Dube said: “(Authorities at) BCC have been trying as we have witnessed recently, (where) they have been rehabilitating the roads within the CBD.
“Even though we have witnessed them renovating some buildings, the development is very slow as there are still many buildings which are in a dilapidated state.”
Bulawayo Progressive Residents Association chairperson Stephen Nkomo said there was no development within the city.
“As residents, we have noticed many buildings (that are) dilapidated being idle, which has made our city to be in a sorry state,” he said.
