Beitbridge town seeks investment partnerships
BEITBRIDGE Town Council is seeking investment partnerships to develop key infrastructure and other major capital projects on a private public partnerships basis.
Council chairperson, Mrs Showa Moyo said during a half-year budget review meeting recently, that the local authority was financially strained.
She said it was very critical to embrace an integrated effort in championing both economic and infrastructural development.
“We ride on your support morally, socially and financially to deliver quality and efficient services to your door step,” said Mrs Moyo
“Our town is on the verge of being declared a municipality and we thus have to up our game.
“We need your support and partnership as we journey into town’s transformation.
“As residents and business people; it is largely your infrastructure and business activities that have contributed to this dream status of a municipality”.
The local authority is in the midst of courting partners for the construction of a bus terminus, stadium, fire station, shopping malls in existing and new suburbs.
Other projects include — a public library and information communication technology facilities and water reservoirs, housing development and stand servicing, hospital construction and the construction of a technical college.
She said councils were implementing agents of the government’s transformation and delivery programmes at local level.
“We want to also urge the Ministry of Local Government, Public Works and National Housing to consider capacitating local authorities so that they may fully deliver the required services,” said Mrs Moyo.
The chairperson said they will soon be repossessing undeveloped commercial stands, which were distributed in 2009.
“We are in the midst of initiating the process of repossessing all undeveloped stands and re-distribute to more serious investors,” she said.
Mrs Moyo also urged those with properties in the Central Business District to consider upgrading them to meet modern standards.
She said they will continue adopting new strategies to develop the border town.
“We urge all business to ensure that we eliminate dust around our properties through adoption of modern strategies such as paving and greening.
“The town council is ready to render you all the necessary direction so that we may develop this place with a shared vision and sense of ownership,” she added.