One of the three companies contracted to collect garbage in Maputo city has suspended its activities due to a debt of 160 million meticais owed by the Municipal Council, relating to 11 months, from February to December 2023.

The city council has issued a statement saying that it is mobilizing financial resources to improve solid waste collection in the city. In the meantime, it says that, following the financial management plan, it is prioritizing payment in installments to the contracted companies. This method, it assumes, has sometimes led to the sacrifice of other activities of capital importance.

The municipality began to experience financial inability to immediately settle the invoices submitted by the service providers, which led to the accumulation of debts in very large amounts, especially with two of the contracted companies.

The gap between payments already made and accumulated debts has been growing, leading to tension between the Maputo City Council and the companies contracted to collect waste. (O País and Miramar)