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Paidamoyo Chipunza Senior Reporter
Zimbabweans across the country will today take part in an inaugural national clean-up day that was declared by President Mnangagwa last month.
President Mnangagwa declared the first Friday of each month a national clean-up day, to promote a clean, safe and healthy environment.
Provinces have already identified sites for cleaning in the various districts and wards. The sites comprise office complexes, business centres, bus termini and hotspots in residential areas.
Environment, Tourism and Hospitality Industry Minister Prisca Mupfumira said all provinces and districts had lined up activities for the day.
“The provinces and districts will be carrying out roadshows, media and other public awareness campaigns.
“The inaugural national clean-up exercise is expected to be characterised by rigorous cleaning activities in every district and ward in towns and cities,” said Minister Mupfumira.
She said Mutare was a shining example where every councillor would lead the ward in cleaning their surroundings.
She said provinces and districts had established steering committees, comprising multiple stakeholders to spearhead the cleaning of various sites within their jurisdiction.
“Cleaning materials have been mobilised from the Environmental Management Agency (EMA), local authorities and other stakeholders such as local retail businesses, miners, government departments, vendors, transporters and the community and these have been distributed according to need,” said Minister Mupfumira.
She said other parallel events not directly championed by the steering committees had been organised as complementary programmes by other institutions such as Clean and Green, which works with Spar Zimbabwe and some residents associations.
She said EMA would also conduct door to door visits in strategic areas such as industrial sites and central business districts to encourage stakeholders to commit some of their staff to participate in the exercise.
“Business will not necessarily shut down but firms are encouraged to organise their staff into groups that will take turns in the clean-up,” said Minister Mupfumira.
The national clean-up day was set aside in accordance with the national Constitution which provides for environmental fundamental rights.
Section 73 of the Constitution guarantees every citizen the right to an environment that is not harmful to their health and well-being.
The move by the President followed concerns by different stakeholders that poor sanitation characterised by uncollected heaps of garbage contributed to the outbreak of diseases such as cholera.
Online Reporter