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Midlands Reporter
Gweru City Council is seeking $226 000 to buy two refuse compactors to improve service delivery.

In an interview, town clerk Ms Elizabeth Gwatipedza said the local authority was operating with obsolete refuse collection trucks and, therefore, the need to purchase new ones.

“We want to procure additional refuse compactors to add to the two we currently have,” she said.

“Mostly for us to acquire the compactors we get the money from residents but this time we are borrowing from our estate accounts and we are looking at about $226 000 in foreign currency component to buy two refuse compactors.”

Ms Gwatipedza said most of the trucks had broken down and there was need for the city to acquire new trucks for refuse collection, adding that council was hiring trucks from the community to carry out refuse collection.

“We have engaged those who are prepared to offer service in refuse collection while using their own trucks,” she said.

“The refuse collection trucks are down at the moment and we only have two to service the whole city.

“This has resulted in some areas of the town going for a long time without refuse being collected and residents are now up in arms against council.

‘‘In response to this, we have decided to engage the community through community-based organisations, which will help in the collection of waste.”

Ms Gwatipedza said before the arrival of the two compactors residents and companies should assist council through clubs to collect waste from their respective areas.

“The refuse collection trucks are down and we only have two to service the whole city.

‘‘In response to this, we have decided to engage the community through community-based organisations, which will help in the collection of waste while we wait for the new trucks,” she said.

“The communities will be responsible for waste collection and that will result in our city remaining clean as we fight against the outbreaks of cholera and typhoid.”