EMA gets vehicle boost

Kudzaishe Muhamba-Herald Reporter

The Environmental Management Agency (EMA) has received 16 Nissan NP 300 double cab vehicles to be distributed to 10 provinces to equip the agency’s operational staff and improve their efficiency and responsiveness in the execution of their duties.

The fleet was commissioned by Environment, Climate, Tourism and Hospitality Industry Minister, Mangaliso Ndlovu on Monday.

It has come when the agency has prioritised institutional strengthening through the provision of tools of trade.

Speaking at the commissioning, Minister Ndlovu said EMA had a tall order in taking care of natural capital “which is the backbone of our economy and livelihoods, as it supplies raw materials in the production and supply chain”.

“EMA is our national environmental watchdog with a huge task to regulate, monitor and promote management of natural resources and environmental protection,” he said.

Minister Ndlovu commended EMA and other parastatals within the Ministry for the work they have been doing, to continue preventing environmental degradation and pollution.

“I encourage everyone within the Ministry and parastatals to maintain this same spirit to ensure a clean, safe and healthy environment in line with targets stipulated in the National Development Strategy is achieved.

“It is my pleasure to officiate at the commissioning of 16 all-terrain four-wheel drive double cab vehicles to augment the existing EMA fleet to improve general mobility of staff during the course of duty,” he said.

Each province will receive an allocation from the fleet, which will enable staff to access all communities across all forms of terrains nationwide.

The hinterland communities will be prioritised, said Minister Ndlovu. 

“It remains my limitless desire therefore that these vehicles be put upon use prioritising environmental hotspot areas with the prevention of land degradation and pollution,” he said.

EMA board chair, Ambassador Zenzo Nsimbi, said the vehicles came at an opportune time where the government is pushing towards development. 

“Further to this the vehicles will strengthen the agency’s efforts towards creating an enabling environment.”

He said the agency is also focusing on the construction of provincial and district offices and this year they will be completing Mvuma, Shurugwi and Chinhoyi.