MUTARE City Council intends to borrow US$500 000 for a fuel station project.
In a second notice publication yesterday, the Eastern Highlands capital local authority said last month, it resolved to apply for borrowing powers to fund the construction of a service station in the city.
“City of Mutare resolved in its 1 316th Ordinary Council Meeting held on August 23, 2024 to apply for borrowing powers to fund the fuel service station construction project valued at US$500 000,” a notice by acting town clerk Kapuya Blessing Chafesuka read.
“Notice is, therefore, given in terms of section 290 of the Urban Councils Act [Chapter 29:15] that council intends to borrow the funds from financial institutions for funding of the capital project below: Project Reduction on Non-Revenue Water (US$500 000).
“City of Mutare is, therefore, inviting ratepayers and other stakeholders with objections to lodge them in writing to the acting town clerk not later than 21 days from the date of second publication of this notice.”
The local authority said after the objection period, an application shall be made to Local Government and Public Works minister for approval.
Local authorities are applying for borrowing powers from government, with the scandal-riddled Harare City Council (HCC) last month also flighting a notice to apply for borrowing powers.
HCC councillors and council officials are appearing before the retired Justice Maphios Cheda-led commission of inquiry that is probing the local authority’s operations from 2017 to date, where a lot of dirt has been dug, with city fathers and council officials’ shenanigans at Town House being exposed.
- Mutare plans to reduce 55K housing backlog
- Pipe bursts dog Mutare city
- Mutare in cholera scare
- Mutare launches blitz on illegal food outlets
Keep Reading
In the notice by acting town clerk Phakamile Mabhena Moyo, HCC said it intended to borrow over US$23 million to fund a number of capital projects including sewage, water, electricity, refuse collection, clinics, heavy equipment and water meters.
The last date to lodge objections to HCC's application was last Friday.
Last year, the city council borrowed more than ZWL$2,9 billion to fund capital projects ranging from the repair of bio-filters and sewage digesters and purchase of refuse compactors, cars for revenue collection as well as an incinerator.
Part of the ZWL$2,9 billion is earmarked to fund waste management awareness campaigns, buy a 24-tonne excavator, four NP200 pick-up trucks for revenue collection, a one-tonne pick-up truck, unspecified car for the town clerk’s office, build five new public toilets in the central business district, complete seven others under construction, buy 10 portable toilets and five manhole shelters.
