News / Local
Council to convert earth-moving equipment to toys
16 Apr 2013 at 05:15hrs | Views
THE Bulawayo City Council will soon convert earth-moving equipment worth thousands of dollars into toys for children after failing to repair the machinery.
According to a council report, the local authority even failed to get bidders for the equipment at an auction.
Confirming the development yesterday, the city's Mayor, Councillor Thaba Moyo, said the move had been agreed on as there was no alternative.
A total of five landfill compactors, a bulldozer, a crawler and one front end loader have been earmarked for the amusement of children at playgrounds.
"The equipment is now old. Among the lot, the newest landfill compactor was about 16 years old. The issue went past council on 1 April without opposition and may be implemented soon," said Clr Moyo.
He said it was unfortunate that the equipment had failed to attract bidders at the auction,
"As council, we are left with no choice because we cannot be saddled with non-performing assets. As long as the equipment can no longer be used, it is best that it be returned to benefit residents. After all, the money for its purchase came from the residents," said the Mayor.
It is stated in the council report that spare parts for the machinery were not available locally.
"The under-listed machinery had been purchased for use at the landfill site, but gradually broke down and by 2006, they were all beyond repair. The main problem encountered at the time was the unavailability of foreign currency to purchase spares from outside the country since all of them were imports," read the report.
It is also shown in the report that the local authority is struggling to maintain its plant and fleet of garbage collection vans. The report reveals that council has resorted to cannibalising parts from some vehicles to keep others on the road.
According to a council report, the local authority even failed to get bidders for the equipment at an auction.
Confirming the development yesterday, the city's Mayor, Councillor Thaba Moyo, said the move had been agreed on as there was no alternative.
A total of five landfill compactors, a bulldozer, a crawler and one front end loader have been earmarked for the amusement of children at playgrounds.
"The equipment is now old. Among the lot, the newest landfill compactor was about 16 years old. The issue went past council on 1 April without opposition and may be implemented soon," said Clr Moyo.
He said it was unfortunate that the equipment had failed to attract bidders at the auction,
"As council, we are left with no choice because we cannot be saddled with non-performing assets. As long as the equipment can no longer be used, it is best that it be returned to benefit residents. After all, the money for its purchase came from the residents," said the Mayor.
It is stated in the council report that spare parts for the machinery were not available locally.
"The under-listed machinery had been purchased for use at the landfill site, but gradually broke down and by 2006, they were all beyond repair. The main problem encountered at the time was the unavailability of foreign currency to purchase spares from outside the country since all of them were imports," read the report.
It is also shown in the report that the local authority is struggling to maintain its plant and fleet of garbage collection vans. The report reveals that council has resorted to cannibalising parts from some vehicles to keep others on the road.
Source - TC
