Staff Reporter
President Emmerson Mnangagwa has officially commissioned the Geo Pomona Waste Sorting Plant, and a fleet of refuse collection trucks, marking a significant milestone in Zimbabwe’s pursuit of sustainable waste management and clean energy.
Addressing dignitaries and stakeholders gathered at the Pomona Waste-to-Energy facility in Harare, President Mnangagwa described the event as “a turning point in our quest for efficiency in waste management,” adding that it reflects what is possible “through visionary leadership, strategic partnerships, and a unified national purpose.”
The commissioning follows the groundbreaking ceremony he presided over in November 2023 and a subsequent tour of the facility alongside SADC Heads of State and Government in August last year.
The President lauded the project as a model of public-private partnership, which aligns with the country’s Vision 2030 and its development philosophy of self-reliance.
“This occasion is evidence that Zimbabwe is indeed open for business. Furthermore, it reflects our national development philosophy: Nyika inovakwa, inotongwa, inonamatigwa nevene vayo—our country must be built, governed, and prayed for by its citizens,” said President Mnangagwa.
Coinciding with World Environment Day, the event underscores Zimbabwe’s commitment to ending plastic pollution and protecting biodiversity.
President Mnangagwa emphasized that waste, when managed properly, is not just refuse but a valuable resource that can be reintegrated into the economy.
“To date, the waste collection crisis, particularly in Harare, has had dire consequences from environmental degradation to public health risks. We must now consign such conditions to the past,” he said.
The President also announced that Geo Pomona has acquired 45 refuse trucks and 100 skip bins, with more to be delivered, and urged other towns and cities to emulate this initiative. He called on citizens to adopt responsible waste disposal habits and end illegal dumping.
“This facility is a beacon of our national potential. Let us all play our part in building a cleaner, safer, and greener Zimbabwe,” he said.
The facility, run by Geo Pomona Waste Management (Pvt) Ltd, will not only help address the waste crisis in Harare but also generate between 16 to 22 megawatts of electricity for the national grid. The sorting plant will recover recyclable materials, significantly reducing landfill dependency and promoting a circular economy.
President Mnangagwa concluded by congratulating Geo Pomona Waste Management on their achievement and officially declared the plant and equipment commissioned.
