Online Reporter
Sukulwenkosi Dube-Matutu,[email protected]
THE Zimbabwe Environment Law Organisation (ZELO), formerly known as the Zimbabwe Environment Law Association (ZELA), has rolled out a programme which seeks to ensure good governance of natural resources and responsible mining in Gwanda District.
In an interview, ZELO monitoring, evaluation, accountability and learning officer, Mr Ngonidzashe Sesemani, said the intervention seeks to reduce the effects of mining activities, which are felt by community members.
The project is being supported by the Foreign Commonwealth Development Office, formerly known as UK Aid.
“We are introducing a new programme that focuses on extractives, namely the mining industry. The extractives programme focuses on ensuring good governance of natural resources and responsible mining in Zimbabwe.
“We are saying within communities where extraction of natural resources is happening, the expectation is to see a good relationship between the mining companies and also communities and other stakeholders. The idea is to ensure that while mining is a good thing as it brings economic development, it should also not infringe on the environmental, social, economic and cultural rights of the communities,” he said.
Mr Sesemani said the organisation will also upscale its climate change programme, which has been underway in Gwanda District.
ZELO has been working in Gwanda on a programme which focuses on climate change mitigation and adaptation. He said the programme will also look at resp6onsible mining as a way of reducing the effects of climate change through assistance from the Swedish International Development Agency (SIDA).
Mr Sesemani said multi-stakeholder dialogues will be held between communities affected by mining, mining companies, Government departments and other stakeholders. He said communities will also be trained on environmental monitoring and reporting. Environmental monitors will be trained on identifying and reporting environmental issues taking place within their communities. These will be reported to relevant authorities such as EMA and the local authority.
@DubeMatutu
