Govt procures 85 refuse compactors to strengthen solid waste management
Source: Govt procures 85 refuse compactors to strengthen solid waste management – herald Sikhumbuzo Moyo, Sunday News Reporter THE Government has procured 85 refuse compactors to strengthen solid waste management across the country’s urban and rural local authorities, in a move set to improve solid waste management and restore cleanliness in cities and towns. The […]
THE Government has procured 85 refuse compactors to strengthen solid waste management across the country’s urban and rural local authorities, in a move set to improve solid waste management and restore cleanliness in cities and towns.
The fleet will be managed under the newly-established Local Authorities Technical Support Unit (Latsu), which will hire out the trucks to councils for waste collection and road maintenance.
The initiative is part of the Call to Action blueprint, launched by President Mnangagwa in 2023 to improve service delivery in all local authorities.
In Bulawayo, the new fleet of compactors, is therefore expected to ease pressure on the local authority’s strained resources, improve waste collection frequency, and help restore the city’s reputation for cleanliness.
On Friday, Local Government and Public Works Minister Daniel Garwe commissioned the first 20 refuse trucks, addressing mayors, chairpersons, town clerks, and chief executive officers from the country’s 92 local authorities.
The development comes after Harare was previously declared a State of Disaster due to overwhelming waste accumulation. Minister Garwe acknowledged that most councils had been failing to meet their waste collection mandates because of inadequate resources.
“Government made a conscious decision to procure refuse collection equipment that shall be deployed to councils on a needy basis, though nominal fees shall be charged,” he said.
The Latsu, chaired by the Department of Public Works, will oversee deployment, cost recovery and fleet maintenance.
Minister Garwe also cited progress under the Geo Pomona waste-to-energy project in Harare, indicating the Government’s intention to expand such public-private partnerships.
Minister Daniel Garwe
He urged local authorities to take service delivery seriously and prepare for the upcoming rainy season by grading roads and managing waste efficiently.
“It is high time that we improve service delivery for the betterment of our communities. His Excellency, President Mnangagwa’s mantra of clean cities, clean buildings, is his new mission in ensuring minimum service delivery and attaining Vision 2030,” said Minister Garwe.
The newly commissioned equipment is expected to strengthen local councils’ capacity to tackle illegal dumps and improve public health conditions.
The commissioning of the refuse compactors came a day after Minister Garwe called on local authorities to renew their commitment to social transformation and enhance service delivery as Zimbabwe advances towards its Vision 2030 goals.
The minister emphasised the importance of transitioning from the National Development Strategy 1 (NDS1) to the National Development Strategy 2 (NDS2), which places greater focus on strengthening the capacity of local authorities to meet service delivery demands in an increasingly dynamic environment.
A key component of this transition is the introduction of the Call-to-Action blueprint, which has led to the establishment of Minimum Service Delivery Standards (MSDS).
These standards aim to set a baseline for service delivery across all councils and will be used to hold authorities accountable.
A key component of this transition is the introduction of the Call-to-Action blueprint, which has led to the establishment of Minimum Service Delivery Standards whose aim is to set a baseline for service delivery across all councils and will be used to hold authorities accountable.
Minister Garwe also highlighted the significance of the recently launched Urban State Land Management Policy, describing it as a “bold commitment” to sustainable urban development and efficient land resource management.
He said the policy would unlock land for affordable housing and improve the quality of life for citizens.
Bulawayo, once celebrated as the country’s cleanest city, has in recent years struggled with solid waste management.
Illegal dumpsites have mushroomed in high-density suburbs such as Makokoba, Mzilikazi, Cowdray Park and Entumbane, while the city’s aging fleet of refuse trucks has often broken down, forcing irregular collections.
In 2022, the Environmental Management Agency (EMA) issued several compliance orders against Bulawayo City Council for failure to manage waste disposal sites and maintain regular refuse collection schedules.
Residents’ associations have also repeatedly complained about the health risks posed by uncollected garbage, particularly during the rainy season when diseases such as cholera and typhoid are a threat.
