News / Local
City Council acquires 17 service vehicles
17 Feb 2016 at 21:45hrs | Views
BULAWAYO City Council (BCC) has commissioned 17 new service vehicles for use in the collection of waste to improve service delivery in the city.
The vehicles consist of seven refuse compactors, six tipper trucks and four motorised water bowsers.
Speaking at the commissioning ceremony held at the City Hall car park Wednesday, Bulawayo mayor, Martin Moyo, said the commissioning of the service vehicles came at a time when the council was battling with various transport challenges in delivering services.
"I am overwhelmed by the gesture because service vehicles are of great importance to the council's work in its aim to deliver efficient services. The seven compactors come at a time when we are battling with illegal dumping of waste and are constantly faced with disruptions to our refuse collection schedule due to frequent breakdown of old compactors," he said.
The latest acquisition, Moyo noted, would add to the current fleet of 17 compactors that the council owns.
"Our fleet has become very old and some of the vehicles have outlived their use as they were commissioned in 1998. They have served us beyond their expected life span of six to seven years. It therefore comes as no surprise that they frequently breakdown and we have had to delay or miss some of our refuse collection days. Three other compactors are refurbished second hand vehicles that they city received as a donation from our partners GIZ. The remaining seven were commissioned in 2010 and early 2014," Moyo said.
"This is a celebration… and I wished we had liaised with Ingwebu Breweries to bring a truck of beer because we have to celebrate and show happiness," joked the mayor.
The mayor challenged residents to be environmentally conscious and stop dumping waste illegally but expressed gratitude to them for paying their dues even though times were trying.
"Let me hasten to say that these vehicles alone without the cooperation of the residents and other stakeholders wil not bring out the desired change. We expect residents to play their part of bringing out their waste on the scheduled refuse collection day at 6am.
"Residents have an obligation to avoid illegal dumping at all costs and it is mostly those residents who fail to bring out their refuse who are culprits for illegal dumping. We ought to be environmental responsible. Our children no longer have safe playing grounds as open spaces have been turned into illegal dumping places. Let us shun such abhorrent practices and help our city retain its status as the cleanest city in the region," he said.
BCC's contracting partners, from which the trucks were bought and serviced also graced the occasion.
XGMA Zimbabwe, Assistant general manager, George Maposa, gave a profile of the organisation, said it supplies equipment to Europe, America and most African countries adding it was proud to be associated with BCC.
"We have bought stock of spares to take care of your equipment and the required expertise to train your operators and technicians. So far we have conducted refresher courses for 21 drivers for the refuse compactor trucks," he said.
Chief Executive officer of Khanyisile Holdings, a local based firm, Owen Dube commended the council for its professionalism in doing business.
Duly's Motors Bulawayo Branch Manager, Levison Batisoni, said the firm, which is 120 years, was old as the council and its first asset had been an ox drawn cart that used to be a mayor's official transport back then but today was dealing in automated machines.
"Today we are presenting motorised water bowsers and they are specialised, customised and suited to the environment. It is our hope our partnership with the council will continue," he said.
Director of Engineering Services, Simela Dube, said the acquisition of the service vehicles was in line with BCC's transport policy to acquire relevant trucks.
"After dollarisation, we realised 90 percent of BCC's fleet was very old. We came up with a policy to address issues such as servicing and replacement. We also came up with the disposal project were we dispose old vehicles, as they were gobbling $2. 5 million per year in maintenance yet the replacement costs are much lower. According to the transport policy, since we have seven new refuse compactors we have to dispose of seven of the old ones," he said.
Dube also gave statistics of the council's service vehicle purchases in previous years, saying this was an achievement as it showed the city's policy makers were focused on service delivery.
"In 2012 we bought 52 units for water and waste reticulation and in the same year we also acquired five for waste removal. In 2015, we acquired 12 units for road maintenance and now we have 17. This is a visible sign of achievement and we have to congratulate the policy makers for their focus," he said.
Director of Health Services, Dr Zanele Hwalima, emphasised on the need for cleanliness saying dumping of waste must stop.
"We must not litter but throw waste in bin receptacles where compactor trucks can collect and dispose the waste. Let's uphold the motto that Bulawayo is known for: ‘My city, My pride, Keep Bulawayo super clean,' she said.
The commissioning event was also attended by representatives of the business community, resident associations, stakeholders and city councillors led by chairpersons of the Environmental Management and Engineering Services Committee plus the Health, Housing and Education Committee.
Courtesy
The vehicles consist of seven refuse compactors, six tipper trucks and four motorised water bowsers.
Speaking at the commissioning ceremony held at the City Hall car park Wednesday, Bulawayo mayor, Martin Moyo, said the commissioning of the service vehicles came at a time when the council was battling with various transport challenges in delivering services.
"I am overwhelmed by the gesture because service vehicles are of great importance to the council's work in its aim to deliver efficient services. The seven compactors come at a time when we are battling with illegal dumping of waste and are constantly faced with disruptions to our refuse collection schedule due to frequent breakdown of old compactors," he said.
The latest acquisition, Moyo noted, would add to the current fleet of 17 compactors that the council owns.
"Our fleet has become very old and some of the vehicles have outlived their use as they were commissioned in 1998. They have served us beyond their expected life span of six to seven years. It therefore comes as no surprise that they frequently breakdown and we have had to delay or miss some of our refuse collection days. Three other compactors are refurbished second hand vehicles that they city received as a donation from our partners GIZ. The remaining seven were commissioned in 2010 and early 2014," Moyo said.
"This is a celebration… and I wished we had liaised with Ingwebu Breweries to bring a truck of beer because we have to celebrate and show happiness," joked the mayor.
The mayor challenged residents to be environmentally conscious and stop dumping waste illegally but expressed gratitude to them for paying their dues even though times were trying.
"Let me hasten to say that these vehicles alone without the cooperation of the residents and other stakeholders wil not bring out the desired change. We expect residents to play their part of bringing out their waste on the scheduled refuse collection day at 6am.
"Residents have an obligation to avoid illegal dumping at all costs and it is mostly those residents who fail to bring out their refuse who are culprits for illegal dumping. We ought to be environmental responsible. Our children no longer have safe playing grounds as open spaces have been turned into illegal dumping places. Let us shun such abhorrent practices and help our city retain its status as the cleanest city in the region," he said.
BCC's contracting partners, from which the trucks were bought and serviced also graced the occasion.
XGMA Zimbabwe, Assistant general manager, George Maposa, gave a profile of the organisation, said it supplies equipment to Europe, America and most African countries adding it was proud to be associated with BCC.
"We have bought stock of spares to take care of your equipment and the required expertise to train your operators and technicians. So far we have conducted refresher courses for 21 drivers for the refuse compactor trucks," he said.
Chief Executive officer of Khanyisile Holdings, a local based firm, Owen Dube commended the council for its professionalism in doing business.
Duly's Motors Bulawayo Branch Manager, Levison Batisoni, said the firm, which is 120 years, was old as the council and its first asset had been an ox drawn cart that used to be a mayor's official transport back then but today was dealing in automated machines.
"Today we are presenting motorised water bowsers and they are specialised, customised and suited to the environment. It is our hope our partnership with the council will continue," he said.
Director of Engineering Services, Simela Dube, said the acquisition of the service vehicles was in line with BCC's transport policy to acquire relevant trucks.
"After dollarisation, we realised 90 percent of BCC's fleet was very old. We came up with a policy to address issues such as servicing and replacement. We also came up with the disposal project were we dispose old vehicles, as they were gobbling $2. 5 million per year in maintenance yet the replacement costs are much lower. According to the transport policy, since we have seven new refuse compactors we have to dispose of seven of the old ones," he said.
Dube also gave statistics of the council's service vehicle purchases in previous years, saying this was an achievement as it showed the city's policy makers were focused on service delivery.
"In 2012 we bought 52 units for water and waste reticulation and in the same year we also acquired five for waste removal. In 2015, we acquired 12 units for road maintenance and now we have 17. This is a visible sign of achievement and we have to congratulate the policy makers for their focus," he said.
Director of Health Services, Dr Zanele Hwalima, emphasised on the need for cleanliness saying dumping of waste must stop.
"We must not litter but throw waste in bin receptacles where compactor trucks can collect and dispose the waste. Let's uphold the motto that Bulawayo is known for: ‘My city, My pride, Keep Bulawayo super clean,' she said.
The commissioning event was also attended by representatives of the business community, resident associations, stakeholders and city councillors led by chairpersons of the Environmental Management and Engineering Services Committee plus the Health, Housing and Education Committee.
Courtesy
Source - www.radiodialogue.com
