Stephen Chadenga
Gweru City Council (GCC) has been commended for ring-fencing money from remittances received from Gweru City Parking company for the rehabilitation of the road network in the central business district.
Gweru City Parking General Manager, Alphanette Gemu said council had shown “great responsibility” in utilising funds remitted by the vehicle parking management company through attending to dilapidated roads in the CBD.
“Gweru City Parking is pleased to note the commencement of road resurfacing works within the Gweru central business district by Gweru City Council, funded through revenue generated from the city’s paid parking programme,”Gemu said.
“The road rehabilitation project demonstrates the tangible benefits that accrue from responsible parking management and the prudent utilisation of parking revenue.
“Funds collected through paid parking are not merely for the adminstration of parking services but are reinvested into improving public infrastructure and enhancing the quality of life for residents, businesses and visitors to the City of Gweru.”
The parking management boss said the initiative will improve driving conditions, road safety and reduce vehicle wear and tear, adding that attractive road infrastracture had the potential to attract investment in the city.
“As Gweru City Parking we remain committed to ensuring that parking revenue continues to support the city’s broader development agenda and we encourage all road users to exercise patience and observe all traffic management measures while the resurfacing works are underway,”he said.
Recently council announced that it had set aside US$300 000 for the first phase of the CBD road programme which will see 640 metres of road network revamped before a targetted three kilometres of CBD roads.
Mayor Martin Chivhoko said under the programme, asphalt will be used instead of gravel, adding that the project will focus on routes that had become difficult to navigate after they were damaged by heavy rains and flooding earlier this year.
“After attending to sixth street road between Leopold Takawira and Lobengula Avenue we will extend to other roads within the city centre before moving to key routes leading to residential suburbs,”Chivhoko said.
The partnership between council and Gweru City Parking started in 2021 and remittances from the firm are part of the local authority’s efforts to improve revenue inflows through public-private partnership initiatives. In previous years council has bought service delivery equipment using the funds.