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Sunday Mail Reporter
Several companies linked to the contamination of Harare’s main water sources each requires more than US$1 million to construct on-site waste management facilities before the June 30 deadline set by Government, the Confederation of Zimbabwe Industries has said. Responding to written questions from The Sunday Mail Extra, CZI president Mr Charles Msipa said most members of the business grouping already have systems and facilities to control pollution. He said while industry was equally concerned about pollution, the authorities should strike a balance between remedial action and available resources as some companies require US$1 million to meet set requirements.
“CZI recognises that some facilities for pollution control have not been maintained due to resource constraints arising from a variety of exogenous factors related to the operating environment and brain drain/skills gap, among others.
“In order to comply with the requirements, some affected individual companies will need in excess of US$1 million in an environment of declining capacity utilisation and erosion of viability of manufacturing sector.
“CZI welcomes Government’s spirit of engagement in this process and urges its members to co-operate with authorities in order to ensure compliance with appropriate environmental regulations.
Further, CZI also urges the relevant authorities to work with all actors, including industry, towards an optimal solution that is fit for the purpose and balances the needs of a fragile economy characterised by soft performance in many sectors and environmental and public health concerns.”
Last month, the inter-ministerial committee on water pollution directed companies to install waste pre-treatment plants to reduce the amount of effluent being discharged into water sources. Those that fail to meet the deadline face closure.
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