The Kwekwe City Council in Zimbabwe has had to halt its solar-powered street light project after failing to raise enough funds required to deploy the project.
The City Council last year announced plans to raise US $200,000 for the installation of solar-powered street lights to cut down on its electricity bill.As a result, the council proposed that each of the 25,000 households in the city would contribute 50 cents per month, however it failed short to reach the set target.
Speaking during a recent council meeting, Kwekwe City Treasurer Rejoice Maweni explained that the project has stalled due to the unavailability of funds.
“We did not raise the targeted funds for the project because people are not forthcoming with their contributions,” said Maweni.
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According to Maweni, the council is considering channeling the US $52,000 raised to date to repair the existing electricity powered-street lights, since the raised amount can only cater for 4 solar powered street lights.
Repair of existing street lights
Rejoice Maweni said, they had covered so much ground in the repairs along the CBD and Gweru Road. However there are serious challenges from vehicles that are damaging the lights through accidents.
However,Kwekwe Mayor Councillor Matenda Madzoke, urged the council to stick to the initial plan saying it was ideal to install a few solar-powered street lights than repair old electric powered tower lights.
“I suggest we proceed with purchasing the few solar-powered lights because we are sure of less vandalism and they are durable. If we buy three this month, maybe four the following month, it will sustain us,” Madzoke argued.
