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EALTH hazards are looming in Nelson Mandela Bay (NMB) due to growing rubbish dumps, as there are only 30 refuse trucks to serve the entire city.
The 30 operating trucks must serve more than 300 000 households in 60 city centres (excluding the informal settlements).
The filthy and horrible state of the metro prompted Eastern Cape Premier, Oscar Mabuyane, to call NMB Mayor, Mongameli Bobani, to hear from him why the city was so dirty.
Mabuyane also called Andile Lungisa, head of infrastructure and engineering, and Yolisa Pali, head of public health, to hear their perspectives.
Mabuyane found out that only 30 of the metro’s 60 refuse trucks are in working order.
The rest of the trucks had mechanical problems and were parked at the metro depot. Some of these trucks have been waiting to be serviced for some time now.
This revelation comes amid daily complaints by residents.
Illegal dumping sites are also increasing.
Lungisa said on inquiry that the municipality realised that 30 trucks were too few.
“This is now urgently being addressed.
Lungisa said they had already set the ball rolling to get more refuse trucks and to have the broken trucks repaired.
“Some of the trucks that do not work are already very old.
“Others need to be serviced because they work 24 hours a day to keep the city clean,” he said.
“I assured the Premier that we will solve this problem.”
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