Epworth Local Board Partners Residents in Community Development

The Epworth Local Board is partnering residents of the suburb in major developmental projects which seek to improve parts of the once informal settlement which is now slowly attaining town status.

The Board tecently held two successful stakeholder
engagement meetings in Wards 5 and 7, bringing together residents and
council officials to discuss ongoing projects, ward initiatives, and
proposed 2025 plans.

The first meeting, which was held on June 23 near Mabvazuva Clinic
in Ward 7, saw an impressive turnout of over 500 residents; with the
second meeting attracting over 200 participants.

During the meetings, residents and council officials engaged in
fruitful discussions on various topics, including ongoing projects,
ward initiatives, and proposed 2025 plans.

Epworth Local Board Town Secretary Dr Wilton Mhanda confirmed the
development describing the engagement as a step in the right direction for thr Epworth community.

“The community engagements we had with residents were very important for council as this gave us feedback thus making it easy for us to deal with urgent matters affecting the community in terms of development because the
residents know the challenges they face on a day to day basis,” said Dr Mhanda.

Whilst sharing insights of the council financial performance for the year to residents at the
stakeholder engagement, Dr Mhanda encouraged residents to pay
their bills consistently, adding that funds
sourced from rate payments go a long way in improving development works in the community.  Many areas are in need of development
in the community and these will be catered for through rate payment funds.

“Whilst I share with you insights of budgetary performance, I emphasize
the importance of paying your bills consistently to Council as these funds
which you pay will be channeled towards development initiatives,” said Dr Mhanda.

“Six key areas which council seeks to partner with the residents through consistent rate paying to develop are, Water Sanitation and
Hygiene (WASH), Social Services Roads, Public Safety and Security
Environmental Management and Conservation.”

Dr Mhanda expressed confidence in the engagement programs saying that by conducting stakeholder
engagements, community members will have a chance to share on challenges affecting the community as they will be the most
affected.

“Stakeholder engagement initiatives provide residents with a valuable opportunity to identify gaps and areas for improvement, as they will
be the ones facing difficulties in their day to day activities due to these glitches,” said Dr Mhanda.

He said by engaging residents in developmental agendas,
noticeable evidence of transparency is shown to residents of how the
Epworth Local Board is directing its operations making them feel recognised and respected as the rate payers.

“These successful meeting demonstrate the council’s dedication to
transparency, accountability, and community participation. As Epworth
continues to grow and develop, these stakeholder engagements will play
a vital role in shaping the community’s future.

“This approach ties in well with the council’s motto, ‘Developing with
people’, reaffirming Council’s commitment to collaborative governance and
community-driven development.”