adminThe weekly collection programme comes after the city council entered into a partnership with a local company in its quest to restore the city’s reputation of being the cleanest in the country.
In an interview yesterday, the council’s senior public relations officer, Mrs Nesisa Mpofu, said the days of refuse removal would remain the same for all residential areas.
“The weekly refuse removal will resume on Monday next week and residents must take out their refuse bags during the days that there would be collection in their areas by 6am. They can buy disposable plastic bags from the Revenue Hall and at all housing offices at $2 per 10 bags,” said Mrs Mpofu.
“The state of the city is not where we want it to be. We want to restore Bulawayo’s reputation of being the cleanest city not only in the country but also in Africa. I would like to encourage residents to cooperate and make sure that they pay their bills to maintain the services.”
Mrs Mpofu urged residents to do community awareness and report any litterbugs to the city council.
“I would like to invite people to do community awareness by visiting the city council offices or call 09-65532 to report any litterbugs. Residents should also know that it is an offence to dump refuse or throw litter out of moving vehicles.
“We are in the process of advising various stakeholders, residents associations, councillors and consumers of the new developments as we are all responsible for restoring the city’s status,” she said.
Mrs Mpofu said the new refuse collection programme would not affect consumers’ bills. “This programme has already been factored into the bills, which means that their bills will not be affected by the new schedule. In our budget consultations last year, the issue of refuse collection was of major concern and it is our endeavour to serve our consumers accordingly,” she said.
The Bulawayo Progressive Residents Association (BPRA) coordinator, Mr Rodrick Fayayo, commended the city council for reverting to the previous system of collecting domestic refuse on a weekly basis, saying the development would reduce health hazards in the city.
“The city council has done a good job. In recent years, the local authority has been collecting domestic refuse monthly leading to residents resorting to illegal dumping of refuse and posing a health threat to residents.
“The availing of disposable plastic bags at the Revenue Hall and at housing offices across the city at a reasonable price is also commendable as it would improve hygiene among residents,” said Mr Fayayo.
He said what the city council had done was important in eliminating disease outbreaks in the city.
“BPRA believes that such actions are of paramount importance in averting deadly diseases such as cholera and typhoid. The new schedule will also help Bulawayo to revert to its previous position as not only the cleanest city in Zimbabwe, but also one of the cleanest cities in the region.
“BPRA would also like to assure the city council that it will continue with its efforts of encouraging residents in all of the city’s 29 wards to abstain from illegal dumping of refuse.
This training programme is part of our Residents Leadership Development Programme,” said Mr Fayayo.
The secretary-general of the Bulawayo United Residents Association (Bura), Mr Samuel Moyo, praised the city council on the new development, although he said it was important for the local authority to clear the present dumpsites.
“What the city council has done is commendable, but it is important for them to first clear the present dumpsites which are still worrying residents in most suburbs,” said Mr Moyo.
Online Reporter