The Combined Harare Residents Association (CHRA) has urged the City of Harare to implement an Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) system to improve service delivery for residents.
Mr. Reuben Akili, the association’s director, expressed frustration over the prolonged delay in rolling out the ERP, which has been discussed for over 15 years. “Year in and year out, we are told that it will be functioning next week, only to be met with more delays,” he stated.
An engineer with the City of Harare had assured residents last year that a functional ERP was imminent, but that promise has yet to materialize. Mr. Akili stressed the importance of an ERP for proper record-keeping and ensuring the integrity of the local authority’s financial records. He explained that a transparent billing system is crucial for rebuilding residents’ trust, encouraging them to pay their rates and fees confidently.
“We need a local authority that has a proper and functional billing system, which is currently lacking,” he remarked.
In addition, Mr. Akili highlighted the ongoing challenges with water supply coverage. He noted that while there have been discussions regarding prepaid water meters, the current water production falls short of meeting community needs. “Our water production does not even meet a third of what is required,” he said, emphasizing the importance of water for hygiene and food security.
He called for the rehabilitation of Morton Jaffray Waterworks and the functional operation of Prince Edward Waterworks, especially after recent rains, to improve water availability for residents.
The CHRA also raised concerns about deteriorating road conditions in both low- and high-density areas, with many roads filled with potholes. Mr. Akili pointed out that non-functional traffic lights have led to situations where informal vendors, including airtime sellers and street children, have taken on traffic control roles.
“This is another area where we feel the local authority needs to improve,” he noted.
Furthermore, the association criticized the practice of allocating land on wetlands, which exacerbates flooding risks for residents. Mr. Akili indicated that the CHRA would pursue legal avenues if this issue persists.
“We will continue to engage our legal services if it remains unacceptable,” he affirmed.