MARTIN MAWAYA
Gweru – In a move aimed at enhancing service delivery, Gweru City Council has taken delivery of two ambulances, two service delivery trucks, and farming equipment worth a total of US$234,000.
The farming equipment for Go Beer farm includes a boom spray, planter, and drum mower.
These acquisitions aligns with the government’s “call to action, no compromise to service delivery” blueprint launched by President Emmerson Mnangagwa in 2023.
Speaking at the commissioning, Provincial Affairs Minister Owen Ncube emphasized the importance of timely and efficient service provision to residents, as well as enhancing revenue collection to local authorities.
He urged all ratepayers to pay their rates and levies to ensure the continued delivery of quality, accessible, and affordable services.
“Local authorities remain vital cogs in driving the transformation of community livelihoods and growing our GDP. It is no longer business as usual as we seek to attain a prosperous and empowered upper middle income society earlier than 2030,” said Minister Ncube.
Gweru Mayor Cllr Martin Chivhoko highlighted the significance of the investments, stating that the two brand-new ambulances, costing US$84,960 each, will be a major boost to the city’s healthcare system.
The ambulances are equipped with state-of-the-art medical equipment and staffed by highly trained paramedics, said Cllr Chivhoko.
The two service vehicles, Nissan Navaras, each costing US$28,500, as well as the GoBeer farm equipment, including a Boom Sprayer (US$1,900), a Planter (US$2,100), and a Drum Mower (US$2,900), are expected to enhance the council’s efficiency in service delivery and boost agriculture at the GoBeer farm.
Gweru Residents Forum (GRF) executive director Charles Mazorodze and Chipo Chipedza from the Gweru Residents and Ratepayers Association (GRA) welcomed the procurement of the ambulances and vehicles, expressing that this will enable the local authority to respond to residents’ needs more promptly.
Chipedza, however, encouraged the council to prioritize improving water delivery, particularly in the Ridgemont Heights area, where some residents have gone without running water for over a year.
