adminThe Herald, 2 May, 1981
SALISBURY City Council is taking action to keep the city free from litter.
At its monthly meeting this week — the first since the new 36-member council was constituted last month — 23 black and 13 white councillors agreed that 2 000 wire mesh litter bins be placed around the city.
Coupled with that would be a campaign to educate the public to use the bins and not dump litter anywhere.
The town planning and works committee recommended that the director of works be authorised to invite tenders for the supply and installation of the bins.
The successful supplier would pay a low rental and would be afforded exclusive advertising rights for a two-year contract which will be subject to renewal.
Advertising matter will be displayed on the lids only, with the approval of the director of works.
Should the supplier breach his contract, the bins would become the property of the municipality. The number of bins may be altered by agreement between the contractor and the director who will be responsible for their clearing and cleanliness.
Insurance cover as required by the City Treasurer will be provided.
LESSONS FOR TODAY
• Since 1981, to when President Mnangagwa launched the national clean-up campaign where the first Friday of each month is dedicated to cleaning up the different spaces we occupy, the million-dollar question is why did council not follow-through its noble idea?
• What went wrong because the situation deteriorated over the years, and it’s taking long to rectify? Litter has also had negative health implications for the nation.
• While the city can successfully carry out awareness campaigns on cleanliness, the first ports of call where basic hygiene is taught — homes, schools and churches — have they abandoned their responsibilities?
• For decades, we have struggled with water-borne diseases (cholera, typhoid, bilharzia) due to unsanitary conditions. However, the new coronavirus (COVID-19), if it ever crosses the seas, is a major threat that calls on everyone to take cleanliness seriously. For, COVID-19 is deadly.
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