Nevanji Munyaradzi Chiondegwa
HARARE – Zimbabwe’s commitment to sustainable waste management and renewable energy was on display during the just ended 44th Ordinary Summit of SADC Heads and Government as His Excellency and SADC Chairman, President Emmerson Mnangagwa, led fellow Southern African leaders on a tour of the Geo Pomona Waste Management facility in Harare.
Addressing the delegation, which included King Mswati III of Eswatini and the immediate past SADC Chairperson João Lourenço, President Mnangagwa emphasized the pressing need for sustainable waste disposal solutions in the face of rapid urbanization and consumption patterns across the region. He lauded the Geo Pomona plant as a prime example of how strategic innovation can address both environmental and economic challenges.
“This waste-to-energy initiative has not only addressed the environmental challenges that were caused by this dumpsite, but the Plant, once completed, will generate electricity for the national grid,” President Mnangagwa stated. He further praised the project’s alignment with the SADC Summit’s theme of “Promoting Innovation to Unlock Opportunities for Sustainable Economic Growth and Development.”
The Geo Pomona plant, a public-private partnership between the Government, the City of Harare, local communities, and Geo Pomona Waste Management (Pvt) Ltd, is expected to significantly contribute to Zimbabwe’s energy mix, reducing reliance on traditional power sources and mitigating greenhouse gas emissions.
President Mnangagwa highlighted the plant’s social impact, commending its commitment to employing youth and women. He expressed hope that the project would serve as a model for other communities within the SADC region, encouraging the adoption of similar innovative solutions.
“Let us never shy-away from thinking outside the box, adapting best practices from elsewhere, guided by our own realities,” President Mnangagwa urged fellow leaders.
The Geo Pomona Waste Management plant stands as a testament to Zimbabwe’s commitment to environmental sustainability and economic growth, serving as a beacon of innovation for the entire SADC region.
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