River Valley Properties has rolled out a major road and drainage rehabilitation programme in Gweru’s Woodlands Phase 1 suburb as part of efforts to revamp the system.
The exercise has seen the land developer’s team working around the clock for the past week to clear sewer lines of any blockages as well as to ensure that the roads are passable.
River Valley Properties group CEO Smelly Dube said as an organisation they will be working hand-in-glove with the community during this exercise.
“We are in the process of rectifying sewer blockage problems,” Dube said.
“We have now agreed that going forward; we shall work hand in glove with the community to end dumping of foreign objects in sewer lines.
“We will also put a big tank of water at one strategic area so that when the city council water goes under shedding, we have an alternative for sewer reticulation.”
Dube added that they will be rehabilitating the drainage systems through installing advanced support systems.
She encouraged residents not to dump or place foreign objects in storm water drains and also sewer systems as this leads to blockages.
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Residents expressed gratitude to Dube and her company for the timely intervention.
“These services that River Valley has rendered like sewer and road rehabilitation must ordinarily be the responsibility of our local authority, but the private company has shown empathy by using its time and resources to assist us. We are really grateful,” said Tymon Ndlovu, a resident.
Although River Valley handed over the Woodlands Phase 1 project to Gweru City Council in 2013, the company has continued to chip in when it comes to service provision.
In January 2020 the Gweru land developer partnered with Vungu Rural District Council on a road and drainage rehabilitation programme.
Some residential areas in Gweru had been affected by flash floods following incessant rains.
At that time Dube said they could not ignore the plight of beneficiaries of the scheme.
“We felt we could not just build houses for people and when they are affected by natural disasters we ignore their plight,” Dube said.
“As part of our corporate social responsibility programme we will endeavour to make sure that beneficiaries of our housing projects are continuously assisted in times of need.”
The property developer partnered the City of Gweru and Department of Civil Protection to assist families affected by flash floods in 2021.
Following incessant rains that pounded the city, most houses particularly in low-lying areas were flooded with water, destroying property worth thousands of dollars.
Affected families also had to be evacuated and accommodated in temporary shelters.
