ZNOART National Chairman S. S Chikomba (4th from right) accompanied by ZNOART Executives at the Geo Pomona Equipment commissioning by H.E President Dr ED Mnangagwa
Staff Writer
President Emmerson Mnangagwa yesterday commissioned the second batch of refuse collection compactors and equipment at Geo-Pomona Waste Management (Private) Limited, to enhance sustainable waste management and environmental protection.
In his address, President Mnangagwa said the commissioning consolidates a project of strategic national importance. He highlighted that the initiative directly supports the National Development Strategy 2 (NDS2) for the period 2026–2030, which prioritises agriculture, food security, climate action and environmental sustainability.
Under NDS2, the President said the Government is committed to ensuring uniform service delivery by local authorities, strict compliance with environmental standards, and the optimisation of resource recovery.
He emphasised that all solid waste management facilities across local authorities must now be transformed, modernised and technologically enabled, with greater emphasis on recycling, advanced waste sorting and integrated disposal methods aligned to spatial planning.
“The goal is to ensure that waste management systems transition from being a cost centre for local authorities into viable economic and environmental value chains,” President Mnangagwa said.
He commended Geo-Pomona Waste Management for its focus on ecological sustainability and innovation, noting that the progress achieved so far reflects operational consistency and determination to deliver on both corporate and national development priorities.
The President added that the project complements Government efforts to transform and rebrand Harare into a world-class city through beautification and sustainable environmental management programmes.
President Mnangagwa also noted that Zimbabwe’s increased infrastructure development, industrial expansion, mining growth and rapid urbanisation have heightened the importance of sustainable waste management frameworks.
He said projects such as Geo-Pomona are critical in mitigating environmental risks associated with economic growth while promoting public health, employment creation, renewable energy generation and climate resilience.
He stressed the importance of the Whole-of-Society Approach, involving Government, local authorities and the private sector, in achieving national aspirations. He added that such synergies must be replicated across the country so that no one and no place is left behind.
The President further observed that a clean environment enhances Zimbabwe’s national image as an attractive investment and tourism destination. He said the work being undertaken at Geo-Pomona would help consolidate the country’s recent recognition as the World’s Best Country to Visit in 2025, underpinned by sustainable environmental practices and ecological diplomacy.
Looking ahead, President Mnangagwa called for the development of more tailor-made waste management models to cushion the environment against the pressures of future industrialisation and modernisation. He urged responsible authorities to ensure that cities, towns, municipalities and growth points reflect national pride through clean, safe and healthy environments.
As the country approaches the new year, the President challenged local authorities and communities to take ownership of the National Clean-Up Day, which is observed on the first Friday of every month. He also commended high-performing local authorities that consistently uphold cleanliness, health and beautification standards.
In his concluding remarks, President Mnangagwa called on all Zimbabweans to demonstrate greater environmental stewardship as the nation builds, modernises and industrialises. He then officially declared the new fleet of refuse compactors and equipment for Geo-Pomona Waste Management (Private) Limited commissioned.
“Nyika inovakwa, inotongwa, inonamatigwa nevene vayo,” he said, emphasising that the country is built, governed and protected by its own people.
Speaking to The Blast ZNOART National Chairman Mr Shepherd Shalvar Chikomba said :
“As residents the project is a great initiative and is now bearing fruits.We can testify as residents that since Geo Pomona came into place, refuse collection has improved.The coming in of the new equipment commissioned by HE President Mnangagwa will go a long way in addressing service delivery issues anomalies which we were facing as a country.
What we want now is for these partnerships to them to spread into other towns so that we have total and up to date service delivery across the nation.”, he said.
President Mnangagwa yesterday commissioned new refuse collection compactors and equipment at Geo Pomona Waste Management boosting Harare’s sustainable waste management. The project transforms the former Pomona dumpsite into a waste-to-energy facility, generating 16-22 MW of electricity by incinerating 1,000 tonnes of waste daily, feeding into Zimbabwe’s national grid.