commer
DESCRIPTION
WASH 2011 conference: Robert ApunyoTRANSCRIPT
Commercialization of Public Toilets in Bulawayo City, Zimbabwe
Robert APUNYO Research Fellow
Public Affairs and Parliamentary Support Trust (PAPST)Zimbabwe
[email protected] Cell: +263 777 503 727 (Zimbabwe)
+256 712 855 013 (Uganda)
WASH conference 2011
• Introduction
• Commercial Model
• Impact of this model
• Weaknesses of the model
• Way forward
OUTLINE
WASH conference 2011
Map of Zimbabwe showing Bulawayo City
• Economic sanctions fueled hyper-inflation to trillions % by 2008.
• Bulawayo City has a population of about 2 million people.
WASH conference 2011
METHODOLOGY
•Key Informant Interviews:
oCity Council Officials (3)oArea Councillor (1)oAttendants of toilets (10)
•Survey of toilet users [Exit polls] (237)
WASH conference 2011
Factors for Commercialization of Public Toilets
•Failure of Bulawayo City Council (BCC) to maintain public toilets due to the hard economic situation – (closed some)
•To curtail rampant vandalism of public toilets. Private operators provide security.
WASH conference 2011
COMMERCIAL MODEL
• In 2006 BCC passed a Resolution to lease out some of its 116 public toilets under the following conditions: 1. In each area half of the toilets remain free
for people who cannot pay for such services
2. Lessees renovate and manage toilets at a fee, for 3 year terms – renewable
3. A leased toilet pays USD 50 to BCC, monthly
4. BCC maintains all the sewer infrastructure
WASH conference 2011
Benefits of the Commercial Model
• BCC receives a monthly revenue of about USD 500 from the 9 leased toilet blocks.
• Protection of toilet facilities against vandals.
• Helped keep the toilets open and usable. 7
WASH conference 2011
Benefits … • Makokoba Community Pay Toilets:
• Donates sports kits to the local youth club
Donates medical kits to primary schools.
• Furnished the Office of the area Councilor.
• Employment to private operators.
8
WASH conference 2011
PRACTICES THAT HAVE OCCURRED
Public Toilet at 8th Avenue
Pay Toilet at Makokoba Suburb
9
WASH conference 2011
Practices that have occurred
Public Toilets Pay Toilets
Reported by all the 6 attendants interviewed
Reported by all the 4 Cleaners interviewed.
10
WASH conference 2011
Practices that have occurred
Public Toilets Pay Toilets
Substitutes:•Card boxes•Stones •Personal clothing•Polythene bags
Toilet paper dispensed by facility attendant!
11
WASH conference 2011
Practices that have occurred
Public Toilet Pay Toilet
No Soap! Soap is provided.
12
WASH conference 2011
Demand for Public Toilets
13
Willingness to pay
Frequency Percent (%)
Nothing 27 11.4
Below USD 30 cents 131 55.3
Above USD 30 cents (Current fees)
79 33.3
Total 237 100
WASH conference 2011
CHALLENGES OF THE MODEL
• Limited operational hours
• Lack of clear
investment plan
• Some toilets are not economically viable for leasing.
14
WASH conference 2011
WAY FORWARD
• Keep toilets open until business winds up in the respective areas.
• Recommend for development of a clear toilet revenue investment plan.
• Facilitate installation of toilet paper dispensing machines to keep the toilet paper inside toilets.
15
WASH conference 2011
Thank You
16