Plumtree unveils $5m budget for projects

THE construction of Plumtree town landfill has started, becoming the latest among many projects that the local authority has embarked to improve service delivery.

The council is also constructing a maternity ward at Dingimuzi clinic.

Council chairperson, Mr Paulos Hobani said most of the projects targeted for this year have started.

“Although our budget has not yet been approved, we are going ahead with the project and many others that have been lined up for this year in our 2018 budget. Everything is on course,” said Mr Hobani.

He said another project which was near completion was the construction of a maternity ward at Dingimuzi Clinic and was expected to be operational by April.

The maternity ward is being constructed to reduce pressure on Plumtree District Hospital, which also caters for expecting women from Bulilima and Mangwe districts.

Plumtree municipality unveiled a $5 million budget meant for capital projects in 2018 and the projects to be implemented include the construction of the maternity ward and drilling of boreholes in every ward to augment water shortages in the border town and the establishment of a new Central Business District.

The budget was a decrease from the $5,6 million for 2017 budget. In this year’s budget, council also intends to construct a fourth classroom block at Matiwaza Primary School and also upgrade Dingimuzi Stadium so that it meets the Premier Soccer League standards as well as sprucing up the town’s tennis courts.

Another project lined up to be completed include putting up street lights in the different sections of the town.

Last year the major projects undertaken by council included the servicing of housing stands in Mathendele suburb and construction of a classroom block at Matiwaza Primary School as well as the tarring of major roads in the border town