By Nigel Pfunde
HARARE – Geo Pomona Waste Management launched a community awareness campaign on waste collection and sustainable waste management practices in Mbare on Tuesday, in collaboration with the City of Harare.
The campaign is designed to inform and educate residents on the importance of proper waste disposal, adherence to waste collection schedules and the role of communities in maintaining clean and healthy living environments,Express Mail Zim has heard.
Residents who welcomed the development showered praise on the Second Republic’s programme spearheaded and initiated by Geo Pomona working jointly with the City of Harare.
Mbare’s Chenjerai District chairman Cde Mberikunashe applauded the initiative.
Cleaniless is next to godliness: Mbare Zanu PF Chenjerai District chairman Cde Mberikunashe airing out his words of appreciation
“Tinotenda mukuru nechirongwa cheGeo Pomona nekuchenesa musha wedu,” he said.
(We thank the President for the programme led by Geo Pomona for cleaning our area which was now becoming a health hazard),”he said.
Another resident who identified herself only as Mai Mabika, said the initiative was bringing services they believed were only associated with low-density areas:
“We thought it only happened in the low-density surbubs”
“We are happy that we have gone past the issue of dirty pampers and our children were now at risk of catching disease through picking up dangerous garbage and other instruments as they play
“We are guaranteed that we now know that every Tuesday and Saturday Geo Pomona dump trucks collect garbage.
“Taifunga zvinongoitwa kumasabhabhu Katie munoridzirwa bhero kuti tauya kuzotora marara,” she said.
(We used to think this was only done in the low density suburbs,where they hoot to alertyou in garbage collection),”she said.
An elderly Mbare resident, Sekuru Joram Chikowore, (78) said he has lived in the suburb for more than 50 years and he welcomed the intervention:
“I have been in Mbare since the 1970s and I have never seen such organized waste collection here after ESAP ,” he said.
“This programme is restoring order and dignity. Our children can now play without stepping on filth. We appreciate what Geo Pomona and the City of Harare are doing.”
The initiative comes at a time when waste accumulation, illegal dumping and poor sanitation continue to pose significant environmental and public health challenges in densely populated suburbs such as Mbare.
Watch:
Visial scenes from the successful awareness campaign held in Mbare on Tuesday
The Geo Pomona team taught residents on how to dispose of waste properly:
“You must separate waste, make use of designated collection points and cooperate with municipal waste collection teams to improve service efficiency,” said a team member.
Hooray!:Happy residents celebrate clean environment
The awareness campaign also incorporated door-to-door engagements. The Geo Pomona team is also using social media platforms and public announcements to spread awareness about responsible waste management and environmental cleanliness.
Officials said the campaign is not only about waste collection but also about fostering a culture of environmental responsibility and participation among residents. Community members are being urged to avoid dumping refuse in undesignated areas and to support initiatives aimed at improving sanitation in Harare.
The partnership between the City of Harare and Geo Pomona reflects great effort to strengthen service delivery under the Second Republic.
