Online Reporter
Today, President Emmerson Mnangagwa will officially commission the Geo Pomona Waste Management sorting plant and refuse collection equipment at the company’s waste-to-energy facility in Pomona.
This marks a pivotal moment in Zimbabwe’s journey towards sustainable waste management and energy solutions.
This ground-breaking facility symbolises a significant advancement in modernising the nation’s waste management infrastructure.
With its innovative sorting capabilities, the plant aims to enhance recycling efforts, ensuring that valuable materials are diverted from landfills and prepared for energy recovery.
Join us as we witness this important milestone that not only promises to revolutionise waste management in Zimbabwe but also supports local skills development and contributes to the national energy grid.
Stay tuned as Harmony Agere gives us live updates and insights from this event.
Waste-to-energy plant transforming Harare’s waste into power
The Geo Pomona Waste Management project is converting Harare’s former Pomona dumpsite into a waste-to-energy facility.
This ambitious endeavour is set to generate up to 22 megawatts (MW) of electricity, significantly contributing to Zimbabwe’s national grid and addressing the capital’s longstanding waste disposal challenges.
International collaboration and investment
The project is a joint venture between the City of Harare and Geogenix BV, a Dutch waste management company.
Under a 30-year Build-Own-Operate-Transfer (BOOT) agreement, Geogenix BV, through its Zimbabwean subsidiary Geo Pomona Waste Management Private Limited, is responsible for the design, construction, and operation of the facility.
After the concession period, ownership will revert to the City of Harare.
The development has attracted international attention, with the European Union and the Turkish government expressing interest in the project’s progress.
Turkish companies have been instrumental in supplying key equipment and expertise, further strengthening Zimbabwe-Türkiye relations.
President Mnangagwa is set to commission the Geo Pomona Sorting Plant and a fleet of refuse collection trucks today at the company’s waste-to-energy facility in Pomona. Take a look at some of the completed units. 🎥: Harmony Agere
Economic and environmental impact
Beyond energy generation, the project is poised to deliver substantial economic and environmental benefits.
The construction and operational phases are expected to create over 500 jobs, providing employment opportunities for local communities.
Additionally, the transformation of the dumpsite into a modern facility will mitigate environmental hazards associated with open waste disposal, such as air and water pollution.
Geo Pomona Waste Management has also invested in community development, constructing recreational facilities including a FIFA-certified soccer field, tennis courts, and basketball courts.
These amenities aim to enhance the quality of life for residents in the surrounding areas.
Regional model for sustainable development
The success of the Geo Pomona project positions it as a model for sustainable waste management in the Southern African Development Community (SADC) region.
Harare Metropolitan Provincial Affairs and Devolution Minister Charles Tawengwa is on record highlighting the project’s potential to inspire similar initiatives across neighbouring countries, promoting regional cooperation and skills transfer.
Dignitaries gather for commissioning ceremony
A crowd has gathered at the Geo Pomona Waste Management site in Harare for the official commissioning of the facility’s new sorting plant.
The event has drawn several high-ranking Government officials, ZANU PF representatives, and executives from the waste management company.
Among the key dignitaries in attendance are Harare Provincial Affairs and Devolution Minister Charles Tawengwa, Transport and Infrastructural Development Minister Felix Mhona, and Minister of Higher Education, Science and Technology, Dr Frederick Shava.
Entertainment galore
The atmosphere at the site is festive, with traditional dancers, school choirs, and youth groups adding colour and energy to the proceedings as they entertain the crowd.
Geo Pomona Waste Management CEO, Dr Dilesh Nguwaya interacts with Government officials and Cabinet Ministers.
Entertainment continues as the crowd waits for the arrival of President Mnangagwa any time from now.
President Mnangagwa arrives
President Mnangagwa has arrived at the Geo Pomona site and has immediately gone into a closed-door briefing.
The President is set to commission the sorting plant, a key unit of the waste-to-energy facility.
The event follows President Mnangagwa’s recent trip to Belarus, where he facilitated the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding between Geo Pomona and Belarus’ Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
The MoU is expected to strengthen cooperation in sustainable waste management between the two parties.
President tours Geo Pomona Sorting Plant
President Mnangagwa has started his tour of the sorting plant by cutting the ribbon and unveiling the plaque. Next, he will tour the refuse collection trucks. He is expected to give his remarks thereafter.
Sorting plant officially commissioned
President Mnangagwa has officially commissioned the Geo Pomona Waste Management waste sorting plant.
The President also unveiled 45 pieces of refuse collection trucks, a blend of compactors and tipper trucks.
Among the refuse collection equipment are skip bins, which are expected to rise to 2500 by the end of July.
The equipment will see the company start door-to-door refuse collection, having cleared most of Harare’s illegal dumpsites since February.
A road sweeper truck was also unveiled.
‘Sorting plant to employ 150 people’
Geo Pomona CEO, Dr Dilesh Nguwaya has taken to the podium.
He said the waste management firm is committed to efficient waste management.
“Today, we recommit ourselves to effective waste management. The 45 refuse trucks and skip bins are part of our broader long-term plans,” said Dr Nguwaya.
He said additional equipment, encompassing sweepers, trucks and skip bins, is on the way.
Dr Nguwaya said the sorting plant will see the company employing an additional 150 people.
He went on to commend the Second Republic for ushering in an enabling environment.
Working together for a better Harare
Harare Mayor Jacob Mafume said it is encouraging to note that the Second Republic and City of Harare are working together on issues related to service delivery.
“We have been able to find each other,” he said. “Let us work together to create a Harare that we are proud of,” he said.
Mayor Mafume said the City of Harare is committed to ensuring that waste management challenges in the capital are addressed.
We are masters of our destiny: President
President Mnangagwa takes to the dais, beginning his remarks with salutations as is tradition, including acknowledging the presence of former First Lady, Amai Grace Mugabe.
He started on a lighter note, saying, “Nhasi marara atiunganidza pano”. This saw those in attendance bursting into laughter.
The President recounted how he had visited Geo Pomona last year during the 44th SADC Summit of Heads of State held in Harare.
“This event is another critical step in our journey as we march towards the Zimbabwe we want,” he said.
He said today’s commissioning marks an important step towards achieving a clean city and country.
“This project highlights the confidence that the investors have in the conducive environment ushered in by the Second Republic,” he said.
President Mnangagwa then reminded the general citizenry that they were duty-bound to aid the country’s current development trajectory.
“We are masters of our destiny,” he said. “We must take pride in who we are and what we can do for ourselves kuchipisa, kuchitonhora, kuchinaya, kusinganaye, gore renzara, gore remaguta,” he said.
