SEDIBENG.- In pursuit of improving solid waste collection services in the Emfuleni Local Municipality (ELM), executive mayor Sipho Radebe supported by Members of the Mayoral Committee (MMC) and municipal manager (MM), April Ntuli, unveiled two new vehicles to build up the Waste Department fleet.
The unveiling took place at the ELM head office in Vanderbijlpark last Friday.
In his speech following the recent Motion of No Confidence (MoNC) victory, Radebe cited the waste collection backlog as a challenge the municipality has to attend to urgently.
Radebe further urged the officials of the municipality responsible for waste to find the best possible ways to address the backlog.
Purchased through the Municipal Infrastructure Grant (MIG), the new fleet comes complete with a 3-year maintenance plan intended for extending the lifespan of the vehicles while relieving the municipality of related costs.
The tipper truck and front-end loader augment the existing municipality waste fleet.
More vehicles are expected to be delivered to the municipality in the next financial year as the Department of Cooperative Government and Traditional Affairs (COGTA) grant allows for 5% of the overall grant amount to be used toward specialised vehicles.
Radebe encouraged employees to look after the vehicles because they are assets that the municipality can use to respond to the needs of the residents and most importantly, improve waste management in Emfuleni.