Online Reporter
Wallace Ruzvidzo-Herald Reporter
GEO Pomona Waste Management has expressed its commitment to swiftly resolve the long-running Ngozi Mine pollution crisis in Bulawayo.
The Bulawayo City Council and Geo Pomona Waste Management have been directed to reach an agreement within a week to replicate Harare’s waste management model.
Geo Pomona chief executive officer and executive chairman, who is also Special Advisor to the President on Waste Management and Environmental Sustainability, Dr Dilesh Nguwaya, reaffirmed that his firm was equal to the task.
“First, we want to undertake what we call waste mining, to remove all the waste that is there. We also want to carry out what we call encapsulation. We need to determine the quickest method of dealing with the situation.
“So my team will quickly come back to me with an action plan,” he said.
This follows growing concern over the health and safety of thousands of residents affected by recurring smoke and fumes from the Richmond Landfill.
Dr Nguwaya outlined the technical aspects of the intervention planned for Ngozi Mine once the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) is in place.
“The plan is to undertake encapsulation to deal with the waste that is there by covering it with geomembrane and geotextile materials to prevent the spread of odours. We also need to rehabilitate the dumpsite and ensure it adopts modern waste management practices.
“People are currently living in a dangerous environment and we will not allow this to continue. We need to protect both the people and the environment,” said Dr Nguwaya.
Meanwhile, Varun Beverages chief executive officer Mr Vijay Kumar Bahl yesterday hosted Dr Nguwaya at a strategic engagement on the future of sustainable business. Their discussions highlighted the power of private-sector collaboration in accelerating recycling, strengthening circular value chains and creating shared economic, environmental and social value.
