By Founding Editor, Nigel Pfunde
Harare- Zimbabwe’s local authorities are set to undergo a transformative shift as the Government moves to overhaul solid waste management across the country through a smart city framework.
Led by Local Government and Public Works Permanent Secretary Tafadzwa Muguti, representatives from all 92 local authorities on Friday undertook a familiarisation tour of the Geo Pomona Waste Management facility in Harare.
During the visit, Muguti assured that the smart city vision will encompass all 92 local authorities, with Geo Pomona identified as the sole private-sector contractor in the Public-Private Partnership (PPP) model being considered for nationwide rollout.
This selection stands on merit, reinforced by the company’s proven track record, including forging strategic waste management deals with recently concluded deal with Botswana, demonstrating that replicating this noble model across Zimbabwe is a viable approach to solving long-standing solid waste challenges.
The initiative comes as part of efforts to promote sustainable waste management, modernize landfill infrastructure, and turn municipal waste into a potential energy source.
Speaking directly to local council officials during the tour, Muguti delivered a stern directive on accountability while outlining the national vision.
“You are supposed to be embarrassed that the President has gone to the extent of declaring a state of national disaster on solid waste management because you have to manage,” Muguti said.
He pledged decisive action to ensure immediate improvements at municipal sites.
“I can promise you all 92 of you will have fenced all your landfills.”
Emphasizing that national policy directives require swift compliance, Muguti stressed the alignment between local governance and executive leadership.
“When the President has spoken, the country moves,” he said reiterating that modern infrastructure will no longer be confined to major urban centers.
“Smart cities will also come to your cities. What we’re seeing here is what is going to be across all 92 authorities,” Muguti said.
Welcoming the delegation, Geo Pomona Waste Management chief executive officer and executive chairman Dr Dilesh Nguwaya, who also serves as Special Advisor on Waste Management and Environmental Sustainability expressed full readiness to support the national rollout.
“I’m very happy that as Geo Pomona we have the capacity to make sure that all 92 authorities are going to get a solution to waste management,” Nguwaya said.
By allowing municipal representatives to assess the advanced technologies, systems, and waste-to-energy operations at Geo Pomona firsthand, the Government continues to anchor its environmental strategy on private-sector merit to drive sustainable urban development throughout Zimbabwe.
