Online Reporter
Sikhumbuzo Moyo, [email protected]
GOVERNMENT has said the Urban and Peri-Urban Resilience through Investment for Sustainable Ecosystems (U-RISE) Project is in sync with the country’s Vision 2030 agenda as it seeks to improve environmental management and urban resilience in Bulawayo and Harare.
Speaking in an interview ahead of the launch of the project at a Bulawayo hotel today (Friday) the said the initiative is meant to address environmental challenges affecting the country’s two largest cities.
She said the project will focus on improving waste management systems, sewer reticulation and environmental protection in urban and peri-urban areas.
“The project is meant to clean the environment within the cities of Bulawayo and Harare, especially taking into account that the two cities have problems with collection of garbage, although in Harare Geo Pomona has come in to assist,” said Minister Ndlovu.
“However, the sewer systems are still a challenge. We also take note that we have a number of small and medium enterprises coming up and working in open spaces so we need to address this challenge together with the two cities.”
Minister Ndlovu said the programme is part of a global initiative covering more than 1 000 cities worldwide, with Zimbabwe fortunate to have both Bulawayo and Harare included.
“The key areas we are going to attend to in this project are sewer reticulation, cleaning of our dams, cleaning of our rivers and the fourth one is capacitating our SMEs and local authorities in managing the environment,” she said.
“So far we have received US$3.4 million to be shared between the two cities but we shall be mobilising for more resources because the project will run until 2030, which is actually in sync with our Vision 2030.”
The launch marks a major milestone in efforts to strengthen urban resilience and sustainable ecosystem management in Zimbabwe.
The project is being implemented under the Global Environment Facility Sustainable Cities Programme and seeks to enhance resilience in Bulawayo and Harare through nature-based solutions, improved urban planning and sustainable ecosystem management.
