Siphakeme .Mnindwa
It is shocking that the council waited until the rains had receded and some houses had already been flooded and property damaged before moving in to clear the clogged drainage system. This reactive approach is not only ineffective but also raises questions about the council’s commitment to proactive management of the city’s infrastructure.
Furthermore, the council workers’ decision to leave the extracted dirt, bottles, plastic, and other waste piled next to the drainage system is astonishing. This is not only an eyesore but if there were to be another heavy downpour, the same waste could be washed back into the drainage system, where it would clog the trenches, rendering the council’s efforts futile.
It is a never-ending cycle of clearing and re-clogging, which is not only impractical, but also a waste of resources.
The cost of neglecting the clogged drainage system is enormous. Floods not only damage property but also expose residents to a variety of diseases.
The failure of BCC to dispose of waste properly is no less serious. When waste is left to rot, it creates a breeding ground for vermin, which can spread diseases.
We cannot help but wonder what was so difficult about clearing the clogged system and collecting the trash. Is it a lack of resources, expertise, or simply a lack of will?
This is not an isolated incident. BCC’s failure to cut long grass along major residential area roads is another example of its reactive approach to management. It would seem the council is waiting for accidents and robberies to occur before taking action. This is unacceptable and puts the lives of residents at risk.
We urge BCC to adopt a proactive approach to managing the city’s infrastructure. This includes regular maintenance of the drainage system, clearing of waste, and cutting of long grass. These are not complex problems that require extensive resources or expertise. They are simple, low-hanging problems that require a commitment to effective management and a willingness to take action before disasters occur.
It’s absurd to think that council workers cannot maintain the city’s infrastructure unless residents complain. It’s the council’s basic responsibility to ensure that Bulawayo’s infrastructure is functioning correctly by clearing garbage, cutting long grass and maintaining drains regularly.
Residents should not have to beg for these basic services. Continued neglect of such basic services could result in businesses moving elsewhere, and residents also relocating, leading to a vicious cycle of decline.
BCC should take its responsibilities seriously and act promptly to rectify the glaring problem of the clogged drainage system and proper disposing of waste. The council must step up and fulfil its obligations to the residents of Bulawayo.
