Blessing Nduku

The City of Gweru has received a boost in its efforts to improve cleanliness following the donation of 20 refuse bins by telecommunications company TelOne.

The bins, which are branded with the company’s corporate identity, are expected to increase the availability of waste disposal points within the city and complement the council’s ongoing efforts to tackle illegal dumping.

The donation forms part of TelOne’s corporate social responsibility initiatives and was handed over to the local authority in the presence of officials from both organizations.

Speaking at the handover, Gweru Mayor Councilor Martin Chivhoko welcomed the support, saying the city was working towards achieving higher standards of cleanliness.

“Thank you so much for the kind gesture. It came at an opportune time, as a city we want to be the cleanest city, not only in the province, but in the whole country.”

The donation comes against a backdrop of challenges related to the availability of refuse bins in some parts of the central business district.

Some bins have reportedly been lost through vandalism and theft, leaving residents and businesses with limited facilities for disposing of their waste.

The new bins are therefore expected to provide additional collection points and make it easier for people to dispose of waste responsibly.
TelOne Midlands Regional Manager Kisto Mutanga said the company viewed its relationship with the city as an ongoing partnership and pledged its continued support for initiatives to improve the urban environment.

“We are here to continue our partnership with the City of Gweru. And our aim today is to continue with that engagement,” Mutanga said.

He said the company wanted to contribute towards maintaining a clean city and indicated that similar interventions would continue as TelOne engages with the local authority.

“We are here to donate about 20 bins to the City of Gweru. As we continue with our partnership, we want to promote the cleanliness of the city,” he said.

The latest intervention comes as the The council continues to tighten measures against illegal dumping.

The local authority recently increased the penalty for illegal waste disposal from US$30 to US$50 as part of measures to discourage residents and businesses from using undesignated dumping sites.

While enforcement remains important, the availability of adequate refuse bins is also critical in encouraging proper waste disposal.

Council and other stakeholders are therefore expected to continue working together to improve waste collection infrastructure and encourage residents to play their part in keeping the city clean.

The TelOne donation is expected to contribute to these efforts by increasing the number of designated waste disposal points available to the public.