Gibson Mhaka, gibson.mhaka@bmetro.co.zw
NEWLY-elected Bulawayo Ward 1 Councillor Mathias Tichaona Tsikira has pledged to prioritise the ward’s development and address concerns raised by residents during the election campaign.
Clr Tsikira made the commitment shortly after being sworn into office yesterday following his victory in the recently held Ward 1 by-election.
He said some areas in the ward experienced severe water shortages, with supplies sometimes available only once a week, making the restoration of reliable water supplies one of his immediate priorities.
“I am very happy and excited to be sworn in as Ward 1 councillor. Ward 1 has a lot of problems, but our main focus is development,” he said.
“As we were campaigning, we noticed a lot of problems within our ward. The first problem that we want to address is the water crisis.
“Most of the areas have no water. Sometimes water comes once a week, so we’re going to address the water crisis in our area, Ward 1.”
Clr Tsikira said the ward also faced challenges associated with the emergence of squatter camps in the CBD, which he said required urgent attention.
He argued that the presence of such settlements in the city centre could undermine efforts to attract investors and improve the business environment.
“We’ve squatter camps coming into the CBD that need to be addressed as a matter of urgency. We cannot have squatter camps in Ward 1 simply because this is a hub,” he said.
“When investors come here, they will be welcomed in Ward One, yet we cannot afford to have squatter camps here.”
Clr Tsikira said he was committed to working towards the development of the ward and addressing the concerns raised by residents during the election campaign.
On the issue of informal trading, he said council needed to provide suitable facilities for vendors before taking further steps to address challenges associated with their operations.
He said the facilities should include proper vending spaces, shelters, toilets and access to water to ensure traders operated in a conducive environment.
“We should have proper places with sheds, proper toilets and access to water. Then we can be able to talk about the issue of vendors,” he said.
Meanwhile, Bulawayo Mayor Senator David Coltart welcomed Clr Tsikira into council, urging him to put residents’ interests ahead of political differences as the local authority works to address the city’s service delivery challenges.
Mayor Coltart said the new councillor was joining council at a time when residents were raising concerns over deteriorating infrastructure, water leakages, sewage problems and the state of roads.
“You will be thrown in at the deep end,” he said.
“During the budget consultations, you will find that there are deep-rooted concerns among residents regarding what is going on in our city, with potholes, streets and water leakages, and sewage plants that are not working. It’s a challenge that faces all of us.”
The mayor said addressing the city’s challenges required cooperation among councillors, regardless of their political affiliations.
“When we face huge challenges like that, if we try to confront them alone or in a partisan fashion, we are doomed to failure,” he said.
Clr Coltart said although councillors came from different political backgrounds, their responsibility was to serve residents and advance the interests of the city.
He congratulated Clr Tsikira on his election and expressed confidence that the new councillor would work with fellow councillors to improve service delivery.
Clr Tsikira, a Zanu-PF candidate, won the Ward 1 by-election after polling 1 590 votes, according to official results announced by the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission.
He defeated independent candidate Shepherd Sithole, who received 112 votes, while Citizens Coalition for Change candidate Mduduzi Sibanda polled 74 votes.
BCC town clerk Mr Christopher Dube presided over the swearing-in ceremony, assisted by council chamber secretary Mrs Sikhangele Zhou.
Source: New councillor pledges to prioritise Ward One development – herald
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