Gweru council  ventures into quarry mining

Gweru City Council has been awarded rights to extract quarry as it bids to increase revenue and support its road construction projects, the city’s town clerk said on Thursday.

In November, the council announced a $49 million budget for this year anchored by a 35 percent increase in tariffs. But the council noted that it had managed to raise $24 million last year against a budget of $33 million as defaults spiked amid a nationwide economic slowdown.

“I can confirm that council recently got a tender to begin exploration and extraction of quarry  stones, pit sand, silver sand and gravel as long-term and sustainable sources of additional income,” Town Clerk Daniel Matawu said in a statement released to journalists.

The recent move would also help council to restrict illegal extraction of quarry by unlicenced companies.

“A recent inspection of council commonage has revealed that there is a lot of illegal extraction of gravel,” said Matawu.

In its latest council minutes, Gweru said it will also revive activities at municipal farms as part of efforts to generate revenue.

“Initiatives to resuscitate farming activities at council’s farms are also underway,” read the minutes.

The cash strapped council has also increased vehicle clamping penalty fees.

“With immediate effect when offenses under prepaid parking disc By- Laws of 2012 are committed, the vehicle shall be clamped and only the penalty shall be payable $10 and $20 clamp fees shall accrue.”- The Source

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