Harare- President Emmerson Mnangagwa has framed a major waste management project as a critical driver for employment creation, renewable energy generation, and sustainable urban development.

Speaking at the commissioning of new refuse collection equipment for Geo-Pomona Waste Management in Harare, the President said such initiatives are essential to mitigate the environmental risks of rapid economic growth while delivering tangible national benefits.

“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,” President Mnangagwa stated.

He directly linked modern waste management to the government’s broader urban development agenda, noting that the project complements efforts “to transform and rebrand Harare into a world-class city through beautification and sustainable environmental management programmes.”

The President emphasised that the modernisation of waste facilities nationwide must shift the sector from a cost burden to an economic asset. “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,” he said.

This transformation, he argued, supports the National Development Strategy 2 (NDS2) and requires a ‘Whole-of-Society Approach’ involving government, local authorities, and the private sector.

President Mnangagwa also connected environmental stewardship to national prosperity, stating that a clean environment enhances Zimbabwe’s appeal for investment and tourism, helping to consolidate its recent recognition as a top global destination.

He called for the development of more tailored waste management models to cushion the environment against future industrialisation and urged authorities to ensure all urban centres reflect national pride through cleanliness.

The ceremony, attended by senior government officials and Geo-Pomona executives, marked the commissioning of a second batch of waste compactors aimed at enhancing sustainable waste management and environmental protection.