President Mnangagwa has challenged local authorities and communities to embrace environmental stewardship by religiously participating in the National Clean Up.
The President was speaking while commissioning the Second Batch of the Geo Pomona Waste Management Refuse Collection Equipment at Pomona premises in Harare this Monday afternoon.
He said local authorities should integrate waste manage to spatial planning.
The event was organised by the Ministry of Local Government and Public Works in partnership with Geo Pomona.
Local authorities to that include Victoria Falls, Bulawayo, Harare, Gweru, Kwekwe, Kadoma, Masvingo, Mutate, Mvurwi, and Chiredzi were exhibiting at the event where the President toured the stands.
Geo Pomona acquired various waste management equipment that comprise refuse trucks, compactors, skip bins, catapillars and others for use in waste management services especially in Harare where the company has partnered the local authority.
In his speech, President Mnangagwa said a clean environment is part of the 2030 Vision as espoused in the National Development Strategy 1, adding that his Office will introduce environmental management awards for local authorities and their leaders.
Already the President introduced the Call to Action for local authorities, as well as performance contracts for public service workers and council leadership.
“In the coming year, I challenge local authorities and communities to take ownership of the National Clean Up.
“I will be giving awards to those observing National Clean Up day every first Friday of the month. If your name as a Mayor will not be mentioned anywhere on the clean up, why would you remain in that position?
“Let’s continue to demonstrate greater environmental stewardship as we develop, industrialise and modernise Zimbabwe,” he said
President Mnangagwa launched the National Clean Up five years ago in an effort to enhance cleanliness and sound environmental management.
In Victoria Falls, the exercise was escalated to a daily activity through the Pristine Victoria Falls Society where individual organisations and residents adopted sections of the City which they clean on a daily basis.
The City has therefore been recognised as one of the cleanest in Zimbabwe.
President Mnangagwa said the NDS2 which he launched a fortnight ago guides programming around agriculture, environment and waste management among other priority areas.
“There is need for waste management which is integrated to spatial planning. We have to guarantee to that waste management transitions into viable economic value chains,” added the President.
