MARTIN MAWAYA
GWERU-The City of Gweru has made great strides in the fight against discrimination of disabled people by establishing a special desk to serve them at the town house.
The special disability desk is part of efforts to promote, protect and ensure full enjoyment of human rights and fundamental freedoms by all residents.
The desk which was one of the advocacy initiatives by Gweru Residents and Ratepayers Association (GRRA) will go a long way in promoting the PWDs inherent dignity.
Officially presenting the desk at the revenue hall today, Gweru City Deputy Mayor, Edson Kurebgaseka said the disability desk is a milestone achievement that will ensure all residents access convenient transactions at the Town house.
He said council aims to create an enabling inclusive environment to all it’s stakeholders.
“My Council is committed to working towards creating and maintaining accessible facilities and services. We want to enable our customers to pay their bills and seek assistance in the most convenient manner.
“People with disabilities are residents and stakeholders of our city. As such we should be inclusive in all we do. This initiative will go a long way in ensuring that people with disabilities are comfortable when seeking services,” he said.
Kurebgaseka praised GRRA for making sure that Council establishes the facility.
He encouraged the business community in the Midlands capital to follow the good example and set up a disability friendly environment at their workspaces.
The ward 9 Councilor added that the “initiative shows the commitment we have towards our residents, clients and stakeholders in ensuring that everyone’s basic needs are met”.
Meanwhile, at the same occasion GRRA donated five wheel chairs sourced from their partners to support persons with disabilities from the community.
GRRA executive director, Cornilia Selipiwe told The Midweek Watch that the disability desk initiative came after his organization had an engagement meeting with the PWDs organisations.
“This desk we are witnessing being handed over comes through advocacy initiatives and our engagement with persons with disabilities. We discovered that the counters and desk at council revenue halls are not disability friendly hence we engaged city fathers to put in place that desk that will help the PWDs to interface with council officials with ease,” said Selipiwe.
He urged Council to continue making all their facilities user friendly to all residents regardless of their physical condition.
Let’s Make a Different Disability Zimbabwe director, Nigel Tahwa said before the establishment of the special counter, it was very difficult for PWDs to pay their bills and communicate their concerns with tellers.
