Residents dismiss council’s covering of potholes using sand

Providence Moyo

Bulawayo Residents have rejected Bulawayo City Council’s  efforts in dealing with potholes, particularly the use of sand, as unsustainsble and costly. 

Speaking during a Bulawayo Revival virtual platform, concerned residents said the measure is not the best idea even if it is intended to be a short term measure.

One resident who identified himself as Ncube said, “I dont think its a good idea at all. Even though council pays costs towards the service, the sand does not last a day which turns out to be misused resources  that can be channelled towards proper development of the city. Council should expedite the normal tarring of street roads and time this exercise, before the rain season begins.”

He encouraged residents to self-mobilise and come up with back up plans that can  assist the local authority.  According to Ncube, if residents contribute towards repairing of roads, council must reduce rates paid by the residents.

“Residents can mobilise themselves and come up with plans to carry out these repairs, but I feel, a lot is required in terms of materials to be used, expertise in terms of roads rehabilitation ( Civil Engineers ) and other requirements. There could be some challenges constructing these roads, because you will find that, a few will come forward, others will argue it’s Council business because we are paying rentals and rates but it is the residents that are most affected by this challenge and if we assist the local authority in every way possible, we stand a chance in building the Bulawayo we want,” he said.

Bulawayo Progressive Residents Association chairperson   Ambrose Sibindi said the use of sand is a diservice to residents because the local authority  uses public resources to ferry the sand but at the end of the day residents do not benefit anything from it. 

“We would rather have a slow but legit process of roadworks. Council must do the right thing, acquire the right material that is sustainable  than have sand filling because it involves use of lorries that will ferry the sand and those lorries are either hired or serviced using residents’ funds and after a few days they have to repeat the process” he said.

Sibindi encouraged residents to lobby their respective councillors to speak against such fruitless but pricy efforts and map progressive measures that will benefit communities.