Staff Reporter

President Emmerson Mnangagwa has applauded the private sector for accelerating the country`s economic growth as the nation journeys towards the fulfillment of Vision 2030.

Speaking at the ground-breaking ceremony of the Geo-Pomona Waste-To-Energy site, in the capital today, President Mnangagwa commended the private sector for working hand in glove with the Government toward the realisation of the nation's agenda of attaining an Upper Middle Income Society by 2030.

“The journey to Vision 2030 and realization of the aspirations under our National Development Strategy is multi-pronged. To this end, my Government welcomes the participation of the private sector stakeholders towards accelerating our country`s economic growth and the provision of world-class services,” said President Mnangagwa.

President Mnangagwa pointed out that the Geo-Pomona Waste-to-Energy Project highlighted the confidence that investors have in the business oriented environment which has been fostered by the Second Republic. He attested that the positive results could only be derived from mutually beneficial partnerships between the public and private sectors.

He further commended the Build-Own-Operate and Transfer joint venture model stating that it would see the generation of 22 megawatts of electricity following the construction of a waste-to-energy plant.

“It is commendable that under the Build-Own-Operate and Transfer joint venture model, the project will see the construction of a waste-to-energy plant  that will produce 22 megawatts of electricity. Once on the national grid, this energy output will go a long way towards augmenting our national energy mix.

“I congratulate and commend the Board and Management of Geo-Pomona (Pvt) Ltd for this innovation and complementing Government efforts in the energy sector. Well done. Your decision to invest in this sector is much appreciated,” said the President.

Furthermore, President Mnangagwa informed that through the Geo-Pomona project, waste was now a valuable commodity that would provide throughput to the plant, while improving overall sanitation and hygiene in the City of Harare. He further highlighted that the undesirable landfills, including the resultant ground and air pollution should cease to be a public, health and environmental challenge.

The Pomona Waste to Energy project for the City of Harare marks the beginning of a new era in the restoration of the capital which had fast deteriorated in the hands of opposition Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC) councilors. The urban dwellers have had to suffer poor service delivery encompassing of potholes on the roads, erratic water supplies and poor street lighting, amongst other challenges for the longest time now. The Second Republic has therefore prioritised putting the people first as one of its cardinal principles for the public sector.