THE Bulawayo City Council (BCC) has reopened its public sitting area at the City Hall to the public following the relaxation of Covid-19 regulations.
The popular outdoor space is the City Hall precinct and directly facing the clock tower with benches dotted under the trees, was closed in March 2020 at the height of the Covid-19 pandemic. The public sitting areas had remained closed despite the lifting of tight lockdown regulations by the Government.
Residents and college students petitioned council, demanding that the public place be reopened so that they can sit and relax, while they discuss assignments.
An online initiative was launched by residents calling on the city fathers to reopen the space for the public’s convenience.
One resident, Jahalezansi Brian Sibanda, started a petition under hashtags #letUsSit #Sihlaliseni #tigarisei as he felt that the reopening was long overdue.
The reopening of the sitting area has come as a positive response to the online initiative.
Mr Sibanda said the reopening of the area to the public shows that residents can affect meaningful change in their communities and hold office bearers to account over things that affect them.
He said as a result of the closure of the sitting area, desperate residents resorted to sitting on the City Hall perimeter fence.
“This also sets a great example of how those in power should be held accountable by those they represent. The benches are now too old and most of them have broken down and we are saying it is high time the local authority improved them,” said Mr Sibanda.
“I believe a good public-private partnership between council and members of the business community can help address these challenges.”
Mr Sibanda said the reopening of the sitting area is a victory for the resident’s voices.
With well-manicured lawns surrounding the benches, the recreation facility has been a convenient meeting point of choice for hordes of Bulawayo residents, visitors, young and old.
In the years gone by, pigeons made the area their home and an attraction to many who frequented the area.
BCC corporate communications manager Mrs Nesisa Mpofu said the area has been open to the public since last Thursday.
She said only one gate will be used for entry and exit for the purposes of controlling access and ensuring the safety and security of the public.
Mrs Mpofu urged members of the public using the benches to desist from littering the area. – The Chronicle
