By Angelah Nothando Mlotshwa
The Minister of State for Provincial Affairs and Devolution Judith Ncube has issued out a blueprint to the City regaining it’s status as the cleanest urban centre in Africa.
Ncube’s plan involves captains of industry and commerce partnering the City Council in issues of cleaning the environments of their enterprises.
Ncube was speaking during an Indaba that was hosted on Thursday by the Ministry of Health, Climate, Tourism and Hospitality Industry on the environmental challenges currently facing the City of Kings.
“The future of a clean Bulawayo is non partisan. All stakeholders should come together and ensure that our home is kept as clean as possible. Local government and central government may be the easiest organs people should be looking at, for the success of the restoration programme. However I propose another autonomous body that may supervise the process,” she added.
Meanwhile, the Minister of Environment, Climate, Tourism and Hospitality Industry Nqobizitha Mangaliso Ndlovu said he believes if all stakeholders in Bulawayo were to come together these problems the City of Kings is facing can be solved in less than a month.
“It’s possible for ten companies to adopt one street and always making sure litter is picked everyday to restore the clean City of Kings,” he added.
The City of Bulawayo is currently battling a range of problems that are mainly around the issue of litter. Dumped litter that gives off an offensive stench and breeds flies has become synonymous with the streets of Bulawayo, especially market places. The rainy season has worsened the situation. Concerns have also been raised that littering in the City centre could lead to an outbreak of diseases.