CITY ACTS ON POOR DRAINAGE
THE City of Harare has deployed teams to address drainage challenges that had rendered some roads in the central business district (CBD) virtually impassable.
In the past few weeks there have been flooding reports which were giving motorists and pedestrians a tough time.
This sparked outrage as residents urged the city fathers to go a step higher in providing quality service.
Acting council spokesperson, Innocent Ruwende, confirmed the deployment of five teams to work on the drainage challenges.
“As we speak, we have five teams that are going round unblocking drains in the CBD and other parts of Harare - the high and low-density suburbs,” Ruwende said.
“We have also embarked on putting catchpit covers so that debris does not get into the drains.
“There are several places that have been worked on so far, for example, Robert Mugabe
Road and Cameroon Street, as well as corner Cameroon and Albion.”
Ruwende bemoaned poor waste management by residents who use drains as dumping sites.
“Our biggest concern is that the public should not throw away litter because what happens is that litter ends up in drains and causes blockages,” he said.
“Sometimes, what would happen is we go and unblock then, before you know it, the drains are blocked again.
“The fact that people throw litter in drains is also a cost to the city but the city, with its limited resources, is working to unblock areas that we are identifying.
“You will appreciate that there are some drains that will be flooded and become a risk for someone to work there.
“So, the team will have to wait for the water to subside and start working. The places have been identified and there are teams that are going around Harare working to unblock the drains.”