By Tapiwanashe Mulenga and Wadzanai Jonasi
Woodlands Phase 1 residents have welcomed the road and drainage system refurbishment exercise being initiated by land developer River Valley Properties and Vungu Rural District Council in areas that were recently affected by flooding.
As part of its Corporate Social Responsibility, the land developer mobilized resources which included a TLB front-end loader, tipper trucks, grader, and manpower, while Vungu council provided tipper trucks with gravel.
Woodlands Phase 1 was handed over to the local authority in 2013 and services are supposed to be provided by the City of Gweru and Vungu RDC. Since the onset of the rainy season, residents in Woodlands have been battling with floods that threatened their livelihoods.
“We are happy to see that RVP and Vungu are currently engaged on a road revitalization initiative meant to service blocked drainages in flooding hotspot areas. We are aware it’s no longer RVP’s responsibility to assist us with creating drainages and repairing of roads in our area, but all the same, they are here in full force,” said Mrs Emma Tapindwa, speaking on behalf of residents who were gathered to witness the work being done.
Ketina Madzivanyika said, “Our homes had become nightmares due to flooding and as neighbors, we scolded each other over flooding each time it rained as the water flowed from one house to the other. We had trouble sleeping each time it rained, but thanks to River Valley Properties and Vungu for this exercise,’’.
Engineer Adonia Torerai who is leading the exercise said they are targeting hotspot areas that were affected by heavy rains experienced recently and are refurbishing drains as well as damaged roads.
He urged residents to build culverts that enable the swift flow of water and safeguard clogged drainages so that they are litter-free.
River Valley Properties Chief Executive Officer, Dr Smelly Dube, said the move is aimed at curbing flooding in the high-density area and allowing residents to move freely on the roads.
“This initiative is part of River Valley Properties; Corporate Social Reasonability and we are happy to assist communities in need. Residents and motorists have been complaining that they have challenges navigating through the gullied roads, that we are addressing,” said Dr Dube.