BCM’s R51m plan to give the city a clean new sweep

Buffalo City has announced a R51-million plan to clean up. This comes as the metro faces a shortage of refuse trucks, mounting complaints over unkempt cemeteries and widespread illegal dumping around the city.

The new plan, scheduled to start by March, was revealed by mayor Zukiswa Ncitha last week following a council resolution to fast-track cleanliness issues.

Ncitha told the Daily Dispatch yesterday said some of the R51.1-million would be spent on eight new refuse trucks, six sweeping machines – the metro’s first – two TLBs (tractor-loader-backhoes), wheelie bins and skips. “We are putting pressure on the processes of procurement, the planning is already done,” she said.

“We want to the roll out the project early next year, at least by March, but it could depend on the tender processes.”

The dirtiest residential areas were identified as Duncan Village and Mdantsane, where residents dump waste illegally despite “No Dumping” signs put up.

“The most problematic parts that make our place miserable include Duncan Village. When it comes to that place we are not where we think we are supposed to be,” said Ncitha. “We have a problem with trucks, we decided to buy more trucks so that when waste collection time comes we don’t disappoint residents. They take the bags out only to find the bags were not picked up the whole day because of the shortage of trucks.”

The sweeping machines will be used to clean suburban streets and the East London CBD. The TLBs will be used to clean cemeteries and illegal dumping sites and do grass cutting and bush clearance.

Ncitha said grass cutting and bush clearance would help reduce crime as many residents fell prey to thugs hiding in overgrown areas.

“The dirt around our metro does affect the image of the metro because no one wants to identify themselves with a place that is dirty. No one is proud of being a Buffalo City citizen, hence we are keen to make sure that things change as soon as possible.

“We want to also have a programme of raising awareness that it is not only the municipality that has the responsibility to clean the city but that citizens also have a responsibility of keeping their environment clean.”

More than 2100 wheelie bins have already been distributed in Mdantsane and King William’s Town and more are expected to be delivered to other areas around the metro. — mamelag@dispatch.co.za