His Excellency Cde Dr Emmerson Dambudzo Mnangagwa, the new SADC Chairman, has given a pat on the back to our Chief Executive Officer and Executive Chairman Dr Dilesh Nguwaya and the whole team for a job well done in transforming the Pomona site.
Addressing guests during a SADC Heads of State and Government tour of our site today, President Mnangagwa narrated how the site used to be full of flies and dirt. But now the story has changed for the better.
President Mnangagwa was joined in the tour of our facility by His Majesty King Mswati III, the Presidents of Botswana Mokgweetsi Masisi and Madagascar Andry Rajoelina, SADC Executive Secretary H.E. Elias M. Magosi, and the two Vice Presidents Constantino Chiwenga and Kembo Mohadi, among other esteemed guests.
The delegation toured our various facilities, including the Encapsulation Point, Weighbridges, Concrete Batch Plant, Landfills, Water Ponds, Waste-Water Treatment Plant, and Sorting Plant.
“But this young man (Dr Nguwaya) has transformed this place and we now see the green everywhere. We used to avoid this place because it was stinking. Nguwaya has transformed this place; it’s beautiful, congratulations young man!
The President added: “I extend my gratitude to the Geo Pomona Waste Management here for partnering with the Government in this critical issue. We will have a cleaner and healthier environment for all. I am sure that other countries can implement such projects as we have witnessed here at Geo Pomona Waste Management project.”
He said while Zimbabwe continues to face a daunting task of sustainable waste management in a sustainable manner, the site in Pomona was testimony of good things achieved in sustainable management of waste.
“Our capital city Harare generates waste every second and authorities didn’t know how to manage waste but Dr Nguwaya has done a great job, congratulations young man,” President Mnangagwa said.
“The rapid urbanisation and consumptive patterns produce more waste and we must find a way of dealing with that. This place does that. High consumption has harmed our environment because local authorities struggle to manage waste. Improper highly hazardous waste and endangers future generations,” he said.
“We are now generating electricity here from the waste which was here. I remember when I used to drive through here it was stinking but because of new technologies you can have your fish and chips here.”
President Mnangagwa said Geo Pomona Waste Management came up with the investment and partnered with the Government, the City of Harare and the local community.
“This plant is a demonstration of vast potential in strategic innovation to solve issues such as power supplies,” he said.
The President commended us for being people-centred through employment of young people and women.
He explained that the waste to energy project will reduce greenhouse gas emissions in line with the Government’s contribution towards climate change mitigation.
“Let’s us not shy away from thinking outside the box to drive the modernisation and industrialisation in SADC. The weighty responsibility to build our country lies with us. People must build their country on their own; pray for it themselves and run it themselves. Modern your country yourselves,” said President Mnangagwa.
VP Chiwenga, in his remarks, said the project was a testament of efficient waste management.
He thanked President Mnangagwa for creative a conducive business environment which has made our project a success.
VP Chiwenga added that the project was insightful and educative, and was worthy spreading throughout the SADC region.
“None of us never thought we could get a lot of things from waste; you can generate electricity, and have clean water,” he said.
