Swakop recycle process halved

The Swakopmund Municipal Council has curtailed its recycling efforts by halving its capacity, casting uncertainty over the job security of approximately 30 individuals previously employed in the sector.

This follows the council’s withdrawal from an earlier resolution to renew the contract with the waste management firm, Rent-a-Drum.

The council is now opting to reopen the contract for bidding in compliance with procurement statutes.

Earlier this year, in an effort to secure approximately 30 jobs and ensure the continuation of effective waste management services at Swakopmund, the municipal council had agreed to extend Rent-a-Drum’s contract.

“At the moment, the contract with the company has ended and we are required by the Public Procurement Act to advertise. We wanted to renew the contract, but we could not do that. Now we must follow the process. If they get it again, then they continue,” Swakopmund chief executive Alfeus Benjamin told The Namibian.

Benjamin said essential services would continue in the interim period until a new contract is awarded.

“The commercial businesses are operating as usual. House to house, the municipality is collecting everything ourselves,” he said, adding that this arrangement will continue until the procurement process is finalised and an official appointment is made.

Benjamin said the matter was simply about adhering to the correct procedures.

Currently, the orange bins (for recycling material) and black bins (for general waste) are collected at the same time and emptied at the landfill site by the Swakopmund municipal waste removal truck.

However, this has left some residents disheartened.

“So, all the recycling that we all diligently separate is being chucked onto the same truck and goes to the same area? It just seems like such a waste and a little bit disheartening,” said resident John Slabbert.

Frank Aldridge said the municipality knew when the contract with Rent-a-Drum would lapse.

“Was it so difficult to put out a tender in good time to ensure an uninterrupted service?”

Donn Mushongo is sceptical: “Awarding a tender? Why not employing people to work for the municipality, in order for them to get good salaries and benefits, instead of them being paid peanuts with no benefits… or is it buddy-buddy, scratch my back?”

Romano Nauseb said the municipality or the successful tender should start an annual cleaning campaign to educate and motivate striving towards a sustainable environment.”

Rent-a-Drum head Gys Louw expressed his concern about the implications of the decision, with the cancellation of the contract extension significantly affecting Rent-a-Drum’s operations.

“We’ve lost about half of our capacity,” Louw said.

He revealed that the company now faces reduced staff and resources.

“We can’t appoint these workers that were retrenched until we get the contract – and if we lose it, they will not be able to work for us anymore.”

Louw also highlighted the unique capabilities of his company, suggesting that other providers might not be able to match their level of service.

“There is no one else, according to us, that can do this type of service for the municipality, because they do not have this facility,” he said of their material recovery system.

The implications of the council’s decision extend beyond the company, potentially affecting the broader community, he said.

“It’s also a setback for the community and for the environment.”

Louw said the tendering process requirement for a new contract could take months, which further delays potential recovery.

This was a setback for Swakopmund residents who supported recycling initiatives, he said.

“I feel sorry for the people of Swakopmund who have bought into this good idea of recycling.”

He said the loss of momentum in recycling efforts would require significant investment and effort to recover.

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