adminThe Association of Business in Zimbabwe (ABUZ) had organised a meeting with a Harare delegation from EMA to address businesses on the increasing number of penalties that businesses were incurring.
EMA penalties range from $5 to $5 000 depending on the level of the crime.
Some business people were alleging that EMA was slow to react to concerns of individuals as in some cases it was taking months for simple problems to be addressed.
ABUZ members called on the body to induce educational courses at affordable rates as there were no educating officers in Bulawayo, hence people were in the dark in terms of what should be done and what was unlawful.
“EMA is just ramming fines on companies that are already struggling to exist when there are no returns from the organisation in terms of advice and enlightenment.
“We do not want to co-operate with EMA but we want to work with them and EMA is not active in Bulawayo,” ABUZ said.
ABUZ said the body was understaffed at the moment which was making it difficult for their issues to be addressed in time.
“We feel the agency is understaffed hence it is difficult for them to address all issues in Bulawayo and we get fines out of ignorance.
“Generally there are poor communication channels in Bulawayo and we want EMA to work on that,” ABUZ said.
In response to the accusations the director general of EMA Mrs Mutsa Chasi said they were aware of the understaffing problem in Bulawayo and they were in the process of sending more officials to the city.
“We have heard all the issues and we promise to address them this year as we will be embarking on a training programme aimed at Bulawayo because training is their right.
“As for the fines that are said to be too high, as an organisation we do not have influence as the Ministry of Justice and Legal Affairs is the one responsible for producing the legal framework and the fines contained in the statutory instrument,” she said.
She, however, challenged companies to invest in cleaner technology that is environmentally friendly in order to safeguard the environment.
“Businesses should be supporting EMA by talking about pollution in their meetings as well as methods of how to dispose refuse responsibly,” she said.
She urged companies to practice recycling as it was another way of cleaning the environment yet making money also.
“We have to learn to turn trash into cash like what the Chinese did in Hwange where they took advantage of coal residue that was being thrown way for years and they started recycling it into first grade coal for export,” Mrs Chasi said.
She urged companies such as Bakers Inn, Cold Storage Company, Prestige Leather, Delta Beverages and Bulawayo City Council to responsibly dispose their refuse as they were causing serious pollution.
“In Bulawayo we have severe cases of deterioration of the water quality of rivers like Matsheumhlope and Umguza River which result in water pollution and death of aquatic creatures.
“Companies must monitor leakages of chemicals or raw sewage for monitoring reasons,” she said.
Online Reporter