The ELB Chairperson, Ward 3 Councillor Gift July, confirmed that earlier this year the board received an application letter from the House of Assembly requesting it to set aside some land to accommodate MPs.
“The board resolved to offer them stands in our low-density suburb of Rockview,” he said. “We were not given the total number of the MPs in need of the stands but we said those interested from our area will get them,” added July.
During the Ministry of Finance’s budget consultations ahead of the national budget, MPs demanded that Minister Tendai Biti should set aside money for their exit packages. They also took Biti to task saying they wanted to know when their outstanding sitting allowances would be paid as they were not sure that they would be re-elected at the next elections.
But President Robert Mugabe dismissed the requests. “I have never heard that MPs get a pension. There is no pension in Parliament. If you are thinking of a pension, are you not standing again next year? You are MPs, go and face the people once again,” he said.
Meanwhile, ELB has set aside $60,000 for the electrification of Epworth using solar energy. This comes after ZESA advised that bills of quantities for electrifying Epworth were being prepared but the project might be phased out due to lack of funding. “We engaged a South African company, Dako Power, to give us quotations and embark on a pilot phase by electrifying our Local Board premises,” said July.
He said the project would involve setting up traffic lights on major roads in the dormitory town.
“We are prepared for the project which will see traffic lights being put up and our four schools, home industries and houses without power being electrified,” he said.
Epworth has been regarded as the most underdeveloped town in Zimbabwe despite the fact that it is located right next to the capital city.
Post published in: News