At least 300 trucks needed for adequate garbage collection - McKenzie

 

Local Government Minister Desmond McKenzie says the country needs at least 300 trucks in order to improve garbage collection across the country.

 

Speaking at Friday's meeting of the Standing Finance Committee of Parliament, Minister McKenzie admitted that the National Solid Waste Management Authority (NSWMA) is still facing challenges, despite the addition of 100 new trucks to its fleet last year.

 

He conceded that rural town centres and rural communities are facing challenges with regular garbage collection despite the new trucks. Still, he said the new vehicles have made a difference. 

 

"Communities that were never previously before on the list for collection [have] been included. So there were 100 [new] trucks, and I must tell you, in order for the entity to be really effective, we're looking at close to 300 trucks. But I must tell you that the new trucks brought some changes. We saw between April and June 2024, 43% reduction in the backlog," he disclosed.  

 

He said the ministry is now up-to-date in its payments to contractors.

 

This followed an increase in the budget of the NSWMA.