Story by Peter Chivhima
CENTRAL government has facilitated the procurement of more than 50 tractors from Belarus for refuse collection in Harare.
The move dovetails with government’s Operation Chenesa Harare meant to clear tonnes of uncollected garbage around the capital.
Thirty-one of the 52 tractors that were procured by the Harare City Council through government’s engagement with Belarus were commissioned by Harare Mayor, Councillor Jacob Mafume this Tuesday where he pledged to complement government efforts in developing the nation.
“We are here for the commissioning of these tractors which were purchased from Belarus through the facilitation of government.
We are working together with government and our work is complementary. We will continue working together so that we restore Harare’s sunshine city status,” he said.
Belarus manufacturers, Bison Agro Machinery Chief Executive Officer Mr Leanid Pinchuk says the tractors’ kits are locally available.
“In terms of repairs, we have our workshops here in Zimbabwe. We also have people here in Zimbabwe who are trained in the maintenance of these tractors. So this will make it easier,” he said.
The move dovetails with government’s successfully executed Operation Chenesa Harare which resulted in waste dumps around the capital being cleared.
The ruling ZANU PF party has also embraced the noble initiative and taken it to the grassroots, including in Harare West constituency’s Ward 16.
“We are very excited that our President is leading the campaign of making Harare city to be smart again. The issue of garbage was now an eyesore in this community so we are so excited,” noted a Harare resident.
“What I am doing today is just following what our President is doing, the President is leading clean-up campaigns across the country and recently he spearheaded Operation Chenesa here in Harare so I thought it’s good to take this initiative to the grassroots. I want to thank him for his vision,” said ZANU PF Ward 16 Aspiring Candidate, Cde Arnold Kudakwashe Mhembere.
Government has embarked on a sustainable clean cities programme to improve hygienic conditions, including clearing waste dumps in the wake of rising cholera cases.
