18 Sep 2022

North West District Council (NWDC) is estimated to have spent over P300 000 during an exercise to put out fire that engulfed Maun landfill recently.

The council also received support from the private sector and members of the community as they pledged machinery, personnel and refreshments.

Speaking during an event to award certificates to individuals, business community, private sector and council employees who participated inthe fire incident, council chairperson, Mr Kebareeditse Ntsogotlho said without this support, the council could not have managed.

Considering the resources needed and the speed in which they had to be mobilised to the site, the council could have taken two weeks to extinguish the fire.

“Indeed your compassionate gesture symbolised a great spirit of patriotism and shall forever be embedded in our hearts.  Council has found new friends and we would like to embrace and see this partnership grow in strength,” he added.

Mr Ntsogotlho appreciated that all went against all odds to ensure the fire was contained within a short period of time, adding the council was proud of this commitment to public service.

Their bravery and tenacity, he said, saved the community and environment from the hazardous toxicity that came along with the landfill smoke.

He also acknowledged that no accidents were reported as safety precautions were observed.

Maun Administrative Authority senior council secretary, Ms Iris Sitayelo, appreciated stakeholders’ involvement in averting the disaster at the landfill.

The fire, she said, was uncontrollable, but they managed to mobilise a response team and plan quickly, adding some counmcil’s machinery was not working, but the private sector came on board and repaired the machinery while some brought their equipment and resources such as fire engines and bull dozers to complement the little they had.

“You have rehabilitated the landfill and currently we are monitoring the situation and doing proper processing of litter to prevent such incidents in future,” she added.

North West district commissioner, Mr Thabang Waloka, thanked stakeholders for their dedication, adding if they could continue with such collaboration, they could take the district to greater heights.

The district, he admitted, worked with limited resources, but had many challenging issues that needed stakeholders to work as a unit.

One of the residents, who participated in the exercise, Mr Jacques Conradie commended the council for allowing members of the community to assist during difficult times.

The exercise, Mr Conradie said, needed collaborated efforts as the situation was out of control and the council was challenged with machinery.

Members of the community and other stakeholders, he said, were motivated to come on board  by fears of a toxic smell that was polluting the atmosphere and posing threats to human health and the environment.

However, Mr Conradie expressed concern about the positioning of the landfill site saying it was closer to the community. ENDS