Glenview Legislator Criticises Govt For Neglecting Glenview 8 Furniture Complex.
Glenview North Legislator Fani Munengami has criticized the government for failing to investigate and address the perennial fires at Glen View Area 8 Furniture Complex.
Established in 2000 by the government, the complex accommodates small to medium enterprises.
Furniture worth hundreds of dollars is regrettably lost in fire breakouts.
While the source of previous fire outbreaks is unknown, some dealers at the complex suspect an electrical problem and overcrowding.
Traders were forced to calculate their losses after the fire destroyed most of the facility.
Speaking in Parliament last week Hon Munengami insisted that government should look into the recurring fires. Every year traders are set back by the fire out breaks.
“I stand up with a burning issue which I believe if it is not resolved, might end up in loss of lives.
“Every year in Glen View Area 8, at the Home Industries where a lot of furniture is manufactured, there are fire outbreaks.
“Nothing has been done so far by Government to intervene so that fires are prevented.
“As I am speaking, 80% of the complex was razed down.
“We are grateful that there was no loss of life but Glen View Area 8 residents and other people who work in that area are not able to work at the moment,” Munengami said.
Law Maker Disappointed By Minister
The lawmaker expressed disappointment that the Minister of of Women Affairs ,Community, Small And Medium Enterprises Development , Sithembiso Nyoni, had not yet visited the facility despite being invited.
“I spoke to the Minister of Small to Medium Enterprises (SMEs) to come and inspect Glen View Area 8 before we have a national disaster because there is a service station next to the complex.
“Every year there are fire outbreaks but we do not know whether it is arson or what, but we know that there are cotton sacks, planks, wood shavings and other things which are highly flammable.
“If this is left unattended, one day we will end up losing lives.
“So my request is that the Minister of SMEs should visit that complex and other stakeholders.
“However, the Hon. Minister is not visiting the complex. We do not know how we can be helped in this issue,” added Munengami.
Nyoni has been the SMEs minister since 2019, and throughout that period, fire has repeatedly destroyed the complex.
Meanwhile, Harare City Council has promised investigate the cause of the fire and to invest in fire-prevention measures.
Glenview Legislator Criticises Govt For Neglecting Glenview 8 Furniture Complex.
