Bernard Mutambudzi

In her closing remarks at the National Environment Forum today, Minister Priscah Mupfumira said Government would remain open for ideas and everyone is included.

She said people should come up with ideas that enabled development.

“Issues affecting environment should be tackled holistically and President (Emmerson) Mnangagwa is serious on that," said Minister Mupfumira.

She said stakeholders should constantly meet to deliberate on environmental issues.

"Environment issues are ever evolving and l suggest we celebrate this event annually," she said.

She bemoaned water pollution in Chivero dam.

She challenged authorities in Harare to come together so that the mess at Pomona dumpsite are rectified urgently.

“I call upon EMA, Harare City Council, Resident Minister for Harare to urgently sort out the mess at Chivero, Pomona and other dumping areas in Harare,” she said.

She said the President came up with the National Clean-up day so that we have a Second Republic which is the envy of many.

She encouraged other Government ministries like Education to seriously take the program.

"As Ministry of Education, you spend a lot of time with children, impart knowledge on the importance of having clean environment, catch them young," she said.

She said the issue of waste management should be taken seriously.

She urged EMA to come up with vigorous marketing programmes that teach people on the dangers of bad environmental acts.

“Government is working on funding the reforestation program through the introduction of Tobacco levy which is currently being not channelled to my ministry," said Mupfumira.

She said Government was working on making sure that the use of plastic is banned.

"Let's get into using khaki papers for packaging, world over countries have adopted new packaging methods," she said.

She said the country needed to move with time on all environmental issues