WASHen expo kicks off in Byo

Business Reporter
THE 2015 Water, Sanitation, Hygiene and Energy (WASHen) Conference begins in Bulawayo today with close to 200 delegates expected to attend. Vice President Emmerson Mnangagwa will officially open the two-day conference at the Zimbabwe International Exhibition Centre this afternoon.

The conference comes at an ideal time as the United Nations Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) come to an end, and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) that will replace them are ratified.

Running under the theme, “Innovative Solutions for Sustainable Development,” WASHen 2015 presents a platform to take stock on progress the country has made in terms of access to clean water, adequate sanitation and hygiene as well as sustainable energy management.

High level representatives from central and local government, civic society, private enterprises and the general public have confirmed participation, organisers said.

VP Mnangagwa, Environment, Water and Climate Minister Oppah Muchinguri-Kashiri, Bulawayo Provincial Minister of State Eunice Nomthandazo Moyo and the city Mayor, Councillor Martin Moyo will join the proceedings.

The event will also be graced with representatives from the African Development Bank, Integrated Edge Systems, SNV Zimbabwe and the World Bank.

Notable NGOs that have confirmed participation include Unicef, Dabane Water Workshops, CAFOD, GIZ Urban Water and Sanitation, Menzi Institute and MSF Belgium.

There will be a guided field visit tomorrow hosted by the City of Bulawayo covering Southern Area Sewerage Treatment (SAST), the BCC Call Centre as well as the BCC GIS Mapping Office.

A majority of the 30 exhibitors who have committed to participating in the supporting exhibition running alongside the conference had arrived at the venue yesterday.

“We invite the local community to visit the exhibition to view the water, sanitation, hygiene and energy products and services on display. These include water treatment filters and chemicals, water tanks and packaging, water engineering and equipment, wastewater treatment and disposal, pipes and pumps, alternative energy sources (solar, biogas ) as well as projects by local authorities and non-governmental organisations,” ZITF marketing and public relations manager Stella Nkomo said.

WASHen is organised by ZITF Company in conjunction with SNV Zimbabwe.