By Nokuthaba Ncube
Gwanda youths have urged the local council to embrace technological innovation, a move that will improve residents` access to information online during COVID 19 induced lockdown.
In a zoom meeting organized by CYDT, Allan Dube said “there is need for the local authority to embrace digital platforms to mitigate the challenge of going to town to pay bills.”
He added that COVID 19 requires people to social distance as much as possible, therefore, it is imperative that the local council strengthen its online platforms.
Another youth, Reason Dube said Gwanda youths have embraced technology as most of them are communicating online and participating in online meetings via ZOOM whenever they are called upon, therefore, the council must follow suit by digitalizing most of its services.
Dube added that the local council can regularly use bulk messages to update residents about their bills or current balances. He went on to say that bulk messages do not require internet connection or smartphones which means that even the elders who usually use old model cellphones can also access information via bulk text messages.
Gwanda youths said there is need for Phakama housing office to have a pay point to carter for those in location.
Responding to the need for local council to embrace technological innovation, Gwanda Town Clerk, Priscilla Nkala said, “the council is moving towards that direction and currently, residents can access their services online on their website. Further developments and improvements will happen as time goes.”
The town clerk added that the council`s public relations team will work on marketing the website so that many people are aware of its existence.
While saying they have received and acknowledged youth concerns, the Gwanda Municipality authorities asked youths to work with them in pushing for development.
The Town Engineer, Phakamile Ndebele pleaded with the youths to collaborate with the local authority in all the projects planned for 2021. He asked the youths to help them in the clearing of the drainage system, a critical problem during rainy season in Gwanda.
Ndebele acknowledged that youths are capable of being major players in the development of Gwanda and encouraged them to bring more ideas on the table.
Ndebele said there many projects lined up which they wish to execute with the youths these include projects that seek to reduce water woes in places like Ward 5 in Hlalani Kuhle and renovation of road networks across Gwanda.
The Gwanda town clerk said the council needs all the help it can get to deal with the challenges at hand. She suggested that the council needs “Public Private Partnerships (PPPs) to better the services or work towards a payment system by citizens per Ward. The wards which will be left behind or not willing to pay will not enjoy the sweat of other Wards.”
She added that pay-per Ward will ensure that the Ward that is paying the required fees for particular services such as streetlights will have them installed while Wards that fail to pay will not.
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