Clean-up campaign begins

Nyemudzai Kakore Herald Reporter
Harare City Council, in conjunction with the Environmental Management Agency, embarked on a massive clean-up campaign on Monday aimed at achieving a litter-free city. The campaign was launched in Mbare and will run until November 19.
Council director for waste management Mr Dombo Chibanda said the council and EMA wanted to restore cleanliness in the city.
“We want to clean up Mbare and raise awareness on the importance of waste management and keeping our environment clean.

“As a city, we have made a commitment to ensure that refuse is collected as per the advised schedule and therefore we expect a change in attitude among residents which should also ensure that the environment is clean.”

Mr Chibanda said behavioural change was critical for the city to attain a litter-free environment.
During the campaign, residents were given plastic bins whilst council trucks collected huge piles of garbage from illegal dumping sites dotted around the township.

Mbare Ward 3 Councillor Innocent Maseko urged residents to be clean and deposit their waste in right places to avoid disease outbreaks.
“Maximum hygiene is very important to prevent disease outbreaks in our area,” he said. “We need to embrace the zero litter campaign and spread the message about the need to keep our environment clean.”

Clr Maseko said plans were afoot to establish biogas projects in the area after the community secured a grant to start the project.