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The Mercedes Benz trucks that were handed over at the launch of the Bulawayo City Council and German-Australia co-operation programme will increase the number of the existing operational fleet to 13.
Also included in the donation, which has been valued at more than $300 000, were 60 pairs of safety shoes, 60 oilskins (thick raincoats), 60 worksuits and a tool set.
The German Development Co-operation (Giz) together with AusAid affirmed their commitment to working with Bulawayo and other local authorities in the country in developing water infrastructure, sanitation and solid waste management.
Shamrock, a local company which is part of the Treger Group of Companies, pledged to maintain the trucks and train its driver for the next two years.
Speaking at the handover ceremony, Bulawayo’s Mayor Clr Thaba Moyo, said the programme would further enhance gains the city had made in the efficient delivery of water and sanitation services.
He said residents could no longer hide behind the excuse of non-collection of garbage by council, to create illegal dumps.
“This kind gesture by Giz and AusAid is a major step in bringing Bulawayo back to being one of the cleanest cities in Africa. Unscrupulous illegal dumpers must be warned, council in liaison with the Environmental Management Agency (EMA) has intensified patrols to apprehend offenders, who will be fined heavily,” said Clr Moyo.
“I am advised that Australia and Germany agreed to support the Zimbabwean water section through a joint implementation structure in order to increase aid efficiency within the next three years.
“This is indeed a welcome development that will improve urban health sanitation,” said Clr Moyo.
He thanked AusAid for the support in the ongoing Bulawayo Water and Sanitation Emergency Response Project (Bowser).
Clr Moyo said the trucks would ease the strain on the existing fleet.
Speaking during the same occasion, the Germany Ambassador to Zimbabwe, Mr Hans Gnodtke, said the provision of clean water was a trademark of his country’s aid.
“That and complementing efforts in preventing diseases like cholera and typhoid are our trademarks. We are happy to be part of this citizen to citizen assistance programme, as the trucks were funded by Germany taxpayers’ money,” said Mr Gnodtke.
Bulawayo’s town clerk Mr Middleton Nyoni said the city was seeking more permanent ties with Germany and Australia through the establishment of twinning arrangements with cities in the two countries.
AusAid senior programmes manager Mrs Fadzai Mukonoweshuro said the organisation was proud to be part of the partnership with council, adding that it was poised to spend about $30 million on sanitation in the country this year.
Clr Moyo, Mr Nyoni and Mr Gnodtke then signed an agreement for the handover of the trucks, amid ululation and clapping of hands by those who attended the event.
The city is struggling to maintain its garbage collection schedule that it changed from once a month to once a week in some suburbs, while others are supposed to have garbage removed twice a month.
Among the people who attended the handover ceremony were Bulawayo councillors, council directors and other staff, Giz deputy programme manager Mr Axel Ulmer, representatives from the Bulawayo United Residents’ Association (Bura), the Bulawayo Progressive Residents’ Association (BPRA), World Vision, the Member of the House of Assembly for Bulawayo Central, Ms Dorcas Sibanda and the Deputy Minister of Agriculture, Mechanisation and Irrigation Development Seiso Moyo.
Online Reporter