Staff Reporter

President Mnangagwa today led a delegation of regional leaders on a tour of the Geo Pomona Waste Management Facility in Harare.

 The visit highlighted Zimbabwe's strides in sustainable waste management and its potential to become a model for the region.

In his remarks, President Mnangagwa underscored the critical importance of sustainable waste management in the face of rapid urbanization, population growth, and increasing resource consumption.

"The unintended consequences of high rates of resource consumption have harmed our urban environments, through the production of waste which is beyond the management capacities of most local government and municipal authorities," President Mnangagwa said.

The Geo Pomona Waste Management Facility, a public-private partnership between the Government, the City of Harare, and local communities, has been lauded as a significant step forward in addressing the country's waste disposal challenges.

The facility, once fully operational, will generate between 16 to 22 Megawatts of electricity, contributing to Zimbabwe's national grid and supporting the country's broader energy mix.

"This plant is a demonstration of the vast potential of strategic innovations in resolving our day-to-day community and national economic questions, such as power supplies," President Mnangagwa stated, linking the project to SADC's theme of promoting innovation for sustainable economic growth.

President Mnangagwa urged SADC leaders to embrace innovative thinking and adapt best practices to their unique circumstances, emphasizing that the responsibility for progress rests on their shoulders.

Geo Pomona's CEO, Delish Nguwaya, who also spoke during the tour, described the facility as a key player in the region's sustainable waste management efforts.

 "Geo Pomona is honoured to be associated with the theme of the 44th SADC Summit," Nguwaya said.

 He emphasized that the facility is committed to zero tolerance for environmental pollution and aims to contribute significantly to Zimbabwe's GDP through its waste-to-energy initiatives.

Nguwaya further highlighted that the Geo Pomona project aligns with President Mnangagwa's vision for Zimbabwe to achieve upper middle-income status by 2030.

He expressed hope that similar facilities could be replicated across the SADC region, promoting both sustainable waste management and clean energy.

The tour ended with several foreign delegates expressing admiration for the facility, with some indicating interest in replicating the model in their own countries.

A delegate from the Kingdom of Eswatini was among those impressed, noting the potential impact of such a facility on waste management and energy generation in his kingdom.

The Geo Pomona Waste Management Facility stands as a symbol of Zimbabwe's commitment to a cleaner, greener, and more prosperous future, not just for itself, but for the entire Southern African region.