Peter Tanyanyiwa
Online Reporter
STRATEGIC public-private partnerships between the City of Harare and Geo Pomona Waste Management as well as Helcraw Water have become practical examples of how innovative partnerships can improve service delivery and accelerate urban development, the Zimbabwe
Presidential Scholarship Alumni Association for Economic Development (ZPSAA) has said.
It believes that the two models have demonstrated that local authorities can overcome long-standing service delivery challenges through partnerships that combine private sector investment, technology and expertise with public sector oversight and policy direction.
ZPSAA chairperson Mr Roncemore Mhlanga said the project had demonstrated how local authorities could leverage private sector investment to bridge infrastructure deficits.
“The lessons from Geo Pomona are clear: Sustainable development requires innovative financing models and strategic partnerships. The project shows that municipalities need not carry the burden of infrastructure development alone when there are opportunities to partner with capable private sector players for the benefit of residents,” he said.
The City of Harare entered into a concession agreement with Geo Pomona Waste Management in March 2022 to transform the once-notorious Pomona dumpsite into a modern integrated waste management and waste-to-energy facility.
The project has significantly transformed the former dumpsite, which had become synonymous with environmental degradation, recurring fires and public health concerns.
Today, the site has modern waste management infrastructure, including waste sorting facilities, internal road networks, water treatment systems and a dedicated hazardous waste landfill.
The project is also expected to generate between 16 and 22 megawatts of electricity through a waste-to-energy plant that will process approximately 1 000 tonnes of waste daily.
Geo Pomona has also emerged as a significant employer, creating more than 1 190 jobs in engineering, environmental management, administration and logistics while positioning itself as one of Zimbabwe’s largest environmental infrastructure investments.
ZPSAA secretary for information and publicity Dr Pfungwa Mambanga, a public health expert, said the environmental and health benefits arising from the project could not be overstated.
“Proper waste management is fundamentally a public health issue. For years, uncontrolled dumping and poor waste disposal systems posed serious environmental and health risks to residents. The transformation at Pomona is not merely an infrastructure story; it is a public health success story that is reducing environmental hazards and creating healthier communities,” he said.
He added that the waste-to-energy component of the project also aligned with global efforts to promote renewable energy and environmental sustainability.
City of Harare’s partnership with Helcraw Water seeks to rehabilitate the capital’s ageing water infrastructure and introduce modern smart metering technology.
Through the deal, Helcraw Water is implementing a comprehensive programme that includes the installation of 650 000 smart prepaid water meters across Harare and Greater Harare, the rehabilitation of 500 kilometres of water distribution networks and the rehabilitation of the Morton Jaffray Water Treatment Plant.
The project seeks to increase water production capacity from an average of 350 megalitres per day to 520 megalitres while expanding water supply coverage from 48 percent to 75 percent.
The initiative is also expected to reduce non-revenue water losses from approximately 60 percent to 35 percent and improve revenue collection efficiency from 48 percent to 90 percent through digital billing and accurate metering systems.
Online Reporter