Gweru City Commissions US$1.5 Million Worth of Equipment

Gweru – Minister of State for Provincial Affairs and Devolution in the Midlands, Honourable Owen Ncube, has commissioned US$1.5 million newly acquired plant and equipment by Gweru City Council, describing the investment as a major boost to service delivery and urban infrastructure development.

Officiating as Guest of Honour at the commissioning ceremony on Monday, July 6, Ncube said the acquisition reflected the Second Republic's commitment to efficient local governance.

"Today's event bears testimony to the Second Republic's bold and strategic policy direction underpinned by the call to action, 'no compromise to service delivery'," he said.

The newly commissioned fleet comprises an excavator, two graders, a water bowser, a road-marking machine, a double-drum vibratory roller, a vibratory plate compactor, a jumping jack compactor, two rotary mower slashers, a skip bin, two fire engines, four Gwenhoro low-lift electric motors, two 75-horsepower tractors and a utility vehicle.

Ncube praised the City of Gweru for financing the purchase from its own revenue, saying the move demonstrated prudent financial management and commitment to improving residents' quality of life.

"I commend Gweru City Council, yet again, for its resourcefulness and prioritising procurement of key plant and equipment using own revenue to ensure a comprehensive road rehabilitation programme that includes filling potholes on our road network," he said.

He said Government fully supported local authorities that strengthened their revenue collection systems to improve service delivery.

"As Government we fully support revenue collection by local authorities as it bolsters service delivery. I therefore implore residents and corporates to pay their bills," said Ncube.

The Minister also challenged the local authority to uphold transparency and accountability.

He urged council "to ensure transparency and accountability through compliance to corporate governance standards, diligent contract management and addressing public concerns" raised through the Citizen Engagement Score Card.

Ncube commended the city for completing several infrastructure projects, including the resurfacing and maintenance of Chidanana Road, overlay works along Sixth Street, beautification of traffic islands and city entrances, renovations at Town House and the installation of additional pumps at Gwenhoro Water Treatment Works.

However, he said more work remained to be done.

"I urge Gweru City Council to accelerate resurfacing of urban roads, improve on road markings and attend to potholes at the Mvuma Roundabout and other high-density suburb roads among them Ascot, Mtapa, Mkoba, Senga and Woodlands," he said.

The Minister said the new equipment should be deployed to resolve persistent service delivery challenges affecting residents.

"This new equipment should address issues of dry taps, uncollected garbage, dilapidated buildings, non-functional traffic lights, road markings, street lights, shortage of proper vending sites and public toilets among several other run-down social amenities," he said.

He also called for the dualisation of the road linking Dairy Board Roundabout and Mtapa Police Station to ease congestion and encouraged the city to modernise Mtapa Market through partnerships with the private sector.

Ncube urged the local authority to complement the Second Republic's infrastructure drive.

"I entreat City of Gweru to emulate and complement the Second Republic's transformational, impactful signature infrastructure projects and programmes," he said, citing investments in roads, power generation, schools, hospitals, waste management, smart metering and market infrastructure as examples that should inspire local development.

On national development, Ncube said Zimbabwe remained firmly on course to attain Vision 2030.

"Attainment of Vision 2030 under the pragmatic leadership of His Excellency, President Dr E.D. Mnangagwa, is unstoppable and achievable," he said.

He also noted that Constitutional Amendment Bill No. 3 of 2026 had passed both Houses of Parliament and was awaiting Presidential assent.

Concluding the ceremony, Ncube declared: "With these few remarks, it is my singular honour and privilege to commission City of Gweru plant and equipment."