Buhleni declared a Municipality
IMAGINE plastics flying up like a kite around town; your town filled with litter, and municipality hasa responsibility to make sure that all citizens are provided with services to satisfy their basic needs. These services have a direct and immediate effect on the quality of the lives of the people in that community. For example, if the water that is provided is of a poor quality or refuse is not collected regularly, it will contribute to the creation of unhealthy and unsafe living environments. Poor services can also make it difficult to attract business or industry to an area and will limit job opportunities for residents.
This is good news to the Buhleni residents as Buhleni has been declared a municipality by the Minister of Housing and Urban Development . The citizens have roles they can play to help their municipality decide what services to provide and how they will be provided. They can participate in many consultation and decision- making processes at local level like; ward committees, budget consultations, ward meetings etc.
The notice was published earlier this month, the general public was notified that members of the public who intend to make submissions or objections on the declaration of Municipality of Bubleni were requested to do so on or before elapse of 30 days from date of publications.
The publication got a chance to speak to Gordon Mbuli, Secretary at Buhleni local authority. This is to inform and educate the people of Buhleni especially property owners to understand what the introduction of municipality would mean to them. But mostly to enlighten them about the benefits of the services that the municipality will be offering. As we know society associate, municipalities with rates payments and overlook the services they give which are for the standard upkeep of their town. “Indeed, Buhleni has been declared a municipality”, said Mbuli.
When asked what the introduction of municipality means to Buhleni residents Mbuli
share the following; The declaration of part of Buhleni Area ( 502 Hectares) of Remainder of Farm 658, situated in the District of Hhohho, has now been declared as Buhleni Township. This means that the declaration of the portion identified for the purpose of being an urban area will now have a Town Council and as to what it means for the residents of Buhleni and surrounding areas;
◗ The area will now be controlled, managed and administered by the Council
◗ The Council will maintain and cleanse all public streets and open spaces vested in the Council or committed to its management.
◗ Abate public nuisance, safeguard public health and provide sanitary services for the removal and disposal of night soil, rubbish, carcasses of dead animals and all kinds of refuse.
◗ It also means it has to establish or take over and maintain, subject to the extent of its resources, any public utility service which is authorised or required to main
tain under any law and which is required for the welfare, comfort or convenience of the public.
◗ It also means the Council will now have to develop, control and manage any land vested in, owned or leased by it.
◗ It also means the Council will have to establish or take over and administer, subject to the extent of its resources, housing schemes for the inhabitants of the Buhleni Town and
◗ Generally promote the public health, welfare and convenience and the development, sanitation and amenities of the municipality.
The services that Buhleni residents will benefit from having a municipality;
If the vision of His Majesty the King of establishing a Portion of Buhleni into a municipality is realised, there is a lot of benefit for the people of Buhleni and surrounding area.
◗ Already, some peri- urban areas surrounding Buhleni are benefitting from the establishments that have been built, such as the Buhleni Mall. Some of the tenants of these businesses are being housed by residents around the town, one of the ripple effects of having the town.
◗ Already, the current business establishments are enjoying the provision of sanitary services, such as removal of rubbish in the town and the safeguarding of public health.
Future plans and developments that will come with the municipality;
◗ The future looks very promising for the town. Already, with such a declaration, we have seen a number of businesses being established” he said. “We are also going to see a number of government offices, such as the state- of- art police station, expected to be completed this financial year, a Judiciary complex and a number of businesses and residential apartments that are expected to be constructed”. In closing Mbuli said that future developments are to be shared in due course.