Byo Needs $38K for New Refuse Trucks: International Edition

The mayor of Bulawayo, David Coltart, has disclosed that the city council requires $38,000 to ensure all their garbage collection trucks are operational.

At the Bulawayo Economic Development Conference held yesterday, Coltart stated that the city must get its vehicle fleet up to standard.

"I received a report from our cleaning department in the past few days stating that we require $38,000 to ensure all our waste collection vehicles are operational," Coltart mentioned.

Ladies and gentlemen, this is the stark truth of our current situation.

We allocate $18,000 for this conference, yet we have garbage that remains uncollected in our city.

He stated that the council needed to alter its priorities.

“And all it takes to get all of our compactors working is US$38 000,” he said.

“This clearly indicates where our priorities stand. That needs to shift.”

Our priorities must shift, and let me clarify that I'm not belittling this conference.

A week ago, the council authorized the procurement of refuse compactor trucks costing $602,400 to enhance waste management and uphold cleanliness.

City administrators stated that Bulaweyo needs 17 extra garbage collection vehicles with an approximate price tag of $2,56 million USD.

In addition to improving cleanliness, the city is streamlining its bureaucratic procedures to lure investors.

"If we lack a pristine city and fail to operate it efficiently, we won't draw the necessary investments required to meet our objectives," he stated.

The city has been struggling against illegal dumping and uncollected trash, leading to waste accumulating in densely populated regions, thereby exacerbating the decline of urban areas.