Alliance, MCC signs MOU

Maseru- Alliance Insurance in partnership with the Maseru City Council (MCC)  has signed a  five-year Memorandum of Understanding (MOU)  at the Maseru Market area this week. 

In his remarks, Town Clerk ‘Moea Makhakhe  stated that the aim of the partnership is to form an alliance with street vendors  to maintain cleanliness in the town. Adding that the MOU  will enable “them” to find ways to properly dispose of waste within the city to ensure a clean environment. 

He emphasised that the market area should always be kept clean while also providing livelihoods for vendors, he also highlighted the MCC program dubbed “Lefielo’’  whereby vendors clean the city and MCC compensates  them with M3,000 per month.

‘Moea said MCC and Alliance are changing the perception  that street vendors are litterers, “Vendors must take responsibility of their surrounding and also ensure that no one discards waste carelessly,” he directed

He further added that since Maseru is the Capital City, everyone should collaborate in keeping it clean by organisingresources and projects to maintain a tidy city.

He also acknowledged the importance of both street vendors and shops to the country;s economy , noting that the shops pay rates which assist the MCC in its daily operations given that the government only disburses 8.2million which is mostly enough to cover salaries. 

As he concludes, advised street vendors to stop setting up their stalls  in unauthorised areas as MCC would soon remove those who block business entrances and pathways and further He urged vendors to join committees. 

Speaking on behalf of Alliance Insurance, General Manager of Operations Lehana Setsabi highlighted that the company has been operating for over 30 years and they have been committed to give back to the community. 

He mentioned that during the Covid-19 pandemic, the alliance supported street vendors and also contributed to the “Seseu Sa Letsoele le Beta Poho” initiative. Further explaining that the alliance generates funds from Basotho hence they are always motivated  to give back to marginalised communities. 

Sets’abi announced that the partnership  with MCC aims to improve the Maseu City through  different initiatives such as: purchasing two trucks (each worth 1.7million), providing free WIFI in public parks,, renovating public toilets as well as parks owned by the MCC, offer stalls/shelter for vendors,  and also supplying with the trash bins.

The Mayor, Matlalepula Sepipi expressed his delight with the new partnership, stating that it will improve the city which has long struggled with cleanliness. He indicated that parks will soon have a more attractive experience.

The Mayor also called on all citizens to maintain cleanliness and protect the improvements  that are going to be made. He commended the alliance for bringing back to the community and urged others to collaborate in the effort to eliminate litter.