Water logging: Residents unite to resurface Gweru Mk 16 Business Centre
By Delicious Mathuthu
Ward 15 residents in Mkoba, Gweru, in the Midlands Province of Zimbabwe have come together and mobilised resources and manpower to resurface Mkoba 16 Business Centre under the guidance of the local Councilor following years of neglect by the responsible local authority leading to dust and water logging.
Having become a nightmare for local residents and those trading, especially during the rainy season, the business centre has been characterised by slippery mud, potholes and ponds of dirty muddy water all round, and dust when dry.
The complex, which is one of the busiest trading centres in the suburb, has seen years of neglect leading to a resurfacing or re-graveling need to level the area by Gweru City Council but failed over the years due to limited finances and lack of equipment.
Seeing the need to address the issue, the local Councilor, Norest Dzivakwe, with the assistance of local business people and Gweru City Council itself providing resources an equipment, mobilised residents to give the complex a fairly new look.
Speaking to Kwedu News, Councilor Dzivakwe said they managed to mobilise resources and got a black pebble stones/quarry stones (ma-jiggies) donation from the Chinese (chrome processing companies) and spread them round the complex with community volunteers to avert the challenge.
He said the initiative was his brainchild but with the support of Ward 15 residents.
“I took this initiative as Ward 15 Councilor so that we fix our area and ensure that our place looks good.
“This is a big shopping centre and people have to see it as such.
“Sometimes we have to make initiatives ourselves, engage with residents and business stakeholders, help each other to fix our ward.
“So we found friends who donated stones to spread along shop pavements; we also have gravel which will be spread by the Council grader so that our ground around the complex is level,” Councilor Dzivakwe said.
“We realised that when it rains we had a problem of depressions that hold water that made it difficult to walk around the complex.
“So we mobilised Ward 15 residents to fix this and its our own initiative, of course Council assisted with some of the tools we used but its the residents that volunteered to fix their Ward,” he said.
Councilor Dzivakwe said the initiative is part of his promise work with the ward to facilitate development when he was elected.
“When we came into office as Ward 15 Councilor, we promised that we will work with residents regardless of standing; without discriminating, working together as a community.” He said.
After the complex surfacing, Councilor Dzivakwe said next they will be dealing with blind sports made by bushes and uncut grass, there-after getting rid of illegal dumpsites now mushrooming around the Ward in the the wake of the lingering cholera threat in the City.
One of the residents working at Mkoba 16 complex identified as Mavis Nyabako said the resurfacing and closing of the depressions is a relief and prays the unity exhibited continues in the Ward.
“We are thankful of the job done here at Mkoba 16 business centre. This was done within a short period, people came together and the job was done.
“This is a good thing and hope the unity continues,” she said.
Recalled former Mkoba North Legislator, Amos Chibaya and Gweru former Ward 11 Councilor, Kumirai Rutsvara were part of the volunteers who assisted.
Chibaya, speaking during the activity, applauded Councilor Dzivakwe and Ward 15 residents saying development benefits all regardless of standing.
“I want to thank Councilor Dzivakwe for initiating this program; I am sure you see that all over there are potholes and this will go a long way.
“I want to also thank Ward 15 citizens who actually heeded the call to come and assist.
“This is not about Councilor Dzivakwe as an individual but the people of Ward 15 who must also look after their own ward. This is a positive development to the people of Ward 15,” he said.
Chibaya said other Councilors should emulate what Ward 15 has done.
“Bring the community together regardless of political affiliation because issues of development know no political party or boundary.
“People must come together when it comes to the issue of development, it is not for a political party but for everyone who lives in that community,” Chibaya said.
Gweru City Council has over the years had challenges with earth moving equipment and financial resources to maintain its infrastructure, but of late has begun revamping its fleet and equipment giving a gleam of hope.
The complex, which is also surrounded by an unmaintained road and drainage network had its main bridge also being eroded over the years.
