First year as a city: Vilankulo focuses on service delivery

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First year as a city: Vilankulo focuses on service delivery

8:17 CAT | 27 Feb 2021

5Picture: Noticias

Raising revenue and improving the quality of water and electricity supply, roads and sanitation are among the challenges facing Vilankulo, which on Thursday celebrated the first year of its elevation to city status.

President of Vilankulo Municipal Council William Tunzine says he aims to increase the collection of revenues through the Municipal Property Tax and broadening the taxpayer base.

Improving circulation, through paving and earthworks, and ensuring compliance with Covid-19 prevention measures, a disease with a high impact on Vilankulo, essentially a tourist city, are other challenges, Tunzine says.

Tunzine recalled that, at the time of his inauguration, the Municipal Council selected tourism as the primary vehicle of local development and promised to make Vilankulo a benchmark destination.

“And behold! Last year we were classified among the prime tourist destinations on the African continent. This is a source of pride and hope for our citizens, who we thank for their cultural knowledge and hospitality,” he said.

Among other achievements, he noted the 80 residents trained in catering, bar, reception and cuisine skills in partnership with the Provincial Directorate of Culture and Tourism of Inhambane and the National Institute of Tourism (INATUR).

There were also inspections of tourist units, aimed at ensuring they operate to standard, thereby attracting domestic and international tourists. Thirty-six licenses for economic activities were also issued, generating 441 new jobs.

To counter erosion, 150 mangrove seedlings were planted in critical areas such as Mangalisse and Chibuene, while, regarding roads, the municipality had paved four kilometres and earthed another five, facilitating the movement of both residents and tourists.

Water supply coverage was increased to 80% of the city’s approximately 70,000 residents, and an upgrade of the city’s electricity substation this year is expected to supply 5,000 new consumers, giving the city coverage of around 70%.

Vilankulo rose to the category of city together with Moatize, in Tete province.

Source: Noticias