Online Reporter
Victor Maphosa
Mashonaland East Bureau
MASHONALAND East Provincial Affairs and Devolution Minister Advocate Itayi Ndudzo has urged everyone across the province to continue participating in the clean-up and ensure their surroundings are clean.
He made the appeal in remarks read on his behalf by Deputy Director of Planning and Environmental Management in the Office of the President and Cabinet, Mashonaland East province, Ms Dzivaidzo Mumbengegwi, during the provincial clean-up exercise held at Dombotombo Business Centre in Marondera on Friday last week.
“The National Clean-up Campaign is a call to action that requires our collective effort and commitment,” he said.
“It is everyone’s responsibility to ensure that their respective communities are clean all the time. I am encouraging every member of the public to actively participate in this programme; let us all develop a sense of ownership and work collectively to protect our environment.
“We must come up with homegrown solutions to effectively address the littering problem in our local communities. There is a need to promote anti-littering behaviour among the public and the business communities.
“I challenge business associations, community and church leaders to encourage their members to establish waste management committees that will spearhead regular clean-up campaign exercises.”
Adv Ndudzo said that by prioritising effective waste management, the environment as well as public health will be protected, adding that this can also promote sustainable development.
He called on all local authorities to have zero tolerance for littering and to ensure communities are educated on the importance of cleanliness.
“All local authorities must promote the culture of cleanliness by conducting regular awareness campaigns in different communities, discouraging people from indiscriminately dumping waste in open spaces, road servitudes and any undesignated areas,” he said.
“It is my plea that Marondera Municipality and Marondera Rural District Council must have functional environmental by-laws to prosecute environmental offenders.
“I am pleased to announce that Marondera Municipality has religiously maintained its waste collection schedule to ensure consistency in refuse collection across all residential and commercial areas.
“This essential service has played a pivotal role in combating environmental pollution and contamination of water sources. In addition, refuse collection also facilitates efficient recycling and conserves our natural resources like wetlands.”
