Environment Patron, First Lady,urge waste recycling investment.
Elvis Dumba
Nyabira,Zvimba- The First Lady Dr Amai Auxillia
Mnangagwa has called upon for investment in waste management in order to
achieve a cleaner environment.
The First Lady, who is the country`s patron for the
environment, was in Nyabira,for the monthly national cleanup day, where she led
a waste cleaning exercise and tree planting program.
The First Lady said it remained her desire to see
every citizen taking part in clean-up campaigns, for the safety of the general
public and wellbeing of the environment.
"I challenge all sectors of our economy to put
in place strategies for sustaining this programme through adopting best waste
management practices, as we start the new year. Institutions, businesses and
individuals can also put additional resources and assist local authorities in
maintaining clean environments, as part of their corporate social
responsibility duties. If we can`t do it ourselves, no one will do it for us,”
she said.
“You will agree with me that waste management has
become a national environmental challenge and Mashonaland West in general has
not been spared from this menace. Waste continues to accumulate at undesignated
places and even in places that have been cleaned before and this has negative
impacts on our lives. Such impacts include health hazards, air quality and loss
of aesthetic value of our beautiful country,” she said.
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Dr Mnangagwa urged local authorities to take the
lead and remain the vanguard of the national cleanup programs, ensuring that
their waste management strategies resonate well with the dynamic and
fast-changing waste management practices.
“There is no reason for maintaining
strategies which were working when populations and waste streams were low. Our
society has changed due to modernization and industrialization hence we now
have more urban dwellers and waste streams. It is time to rethink our waste
management strategies and establish cost-effective models that are efficient
and sustainable. I call upon all citizens to adopt and implement sound waste
management strategies taking on board what works best for our different areas.”
Dr Mnangagwa implored upon local authorities,such
as Zvimba Rural District Council and various organizations to have their annual
waste management plans in place and ready for implementation.
“I therefore urge Zvimba Rural District Council to
be proactive in responding to waste management challenges, through construction
of appropriate waste disposal facilities at service centers,within their area
of jurisdiction.
“On the same note may I also encourage you to put
in place mechanisms of promoting recycling initiatives in line with the
national discourse,” she said.
Mashonaland West Provincial Affairs and Devolution
Minister Mary Mliswa-Chikoka paid tribute to the First Lady for her tireless
efforts to protect the environment and maintain cleanliness.
“As Mashonaland West we support the programmes that
you always bring to us time and again. You bring culture awareness and hygiene
while encouraging us to live in clean environments. Cleanliness and the
planting of trees are close to your heart and we shall keep our surroundings
smart. I encourage the whole province to value the zero tolerance to litter
campaign,” she said.
Deputy Minister for Environment, Climate, Tourism
and Hospitality Industry, Barbara Rwodzi said her ministry is working with
areas that are growing into towns and cities, such as Nyabira to remain smart
and clean
“We have seen it fit to work with areas like
Nyabira,who are experiencing massive growth and expansion and teach one another
about protecting the environment through cleanliness and beautification of
cities. The trees you have planted here today are the same ones we are using in
all towns under the beautification initiative.Nyabira is one of the country`s
growing areas, expanding towards Mt Hampden and eventually Harare, therefore it
has to be smart." she said
Environmental Management Agency (EMA) director-general
Mr Aaron Chigona said they are targeting to plant over 20 million trees, in the
town and city beautification program, nationwide:
ZANU PF Zvimba East Central Committee member
Francis Mkwangariwa urged citizens to heed The First Lady`s call to keep the environment
clean.
"As Zimbabweans we need to rally behind
calls from The First Lady, Dr Auxilia Mnangagwa for a cleaner environment
through ensuring that we start from our own homes in cleanliness and invest in
best waste management practices, especially coming up with waste recycling
initiatives as we need to save on land which is being taken up by dumpsites,
with some of them being put on undesignated areas as waste continues accumulating
from homes and industries," he said in an interview on the sidelines of
the national clean up event.