Sharon Chikowore
THE Environmental Management Agency (EMA) conducted a week-long awareness and compliance campaign at road blocks along the Harare-Chirundu, Chinhoyi – Chegutu and Harare – Bulawayo highways.
The thrust of this awareness campaign was on anti-littering campaigns among commuters and spot checks on compliance with the environmental regulations on transportation of hazardous substances, river and pit sand.
Section 83 (1) and (2) of the Environmental Management Act Cap 20:27 provides that no person shall discard, dump or leave anything on any land or water surface, street, road or site in or at any place except in a container provided for that purpose or at a place which has been specifically designated, indicated, provided or set apart for such purpose and that every owner of transport conveyance shall ensure that no litter is thrown from his transport conveyance.
Mashonaland West Provincial Education and Publicity Officer for EMA, Munyaradzi Nhariswa, highlighted the progress they had made so far on number of inspections conducted, tickets issued, and the number of commuters they had engaged.
“As of Wednesday the 16th of April, 316 inspections have been done with 52 percent being on solid waste and the remainder being on transportation of hazardous substances. Thirty-two spot fine tickets were issued and the common offence was the absence of refuse bins in public conveyances.
“Another common offence was on transportation of hazardous substances. During the operation, 14 trucks were nabbed for transportation of hazardous substances without licences.
“Awareness campaigns on sustainable solid waste management practices were conducted reaching out to 2500 commuters. Public transporters should ensure refuse bins are available at all times and regularly emptied at designated. ,” said Nhariswa.
Statutory Instrument 268 of 2018 (Control of Hazardous Substance Regulation) provides framework for the manufacture, storage, importation and transportation of hazardous substances.
EMA continuously urges commuters and transportations to comply with environmental regulations as the country moves towards a clean, safe and healthy environment for an empowered society and sustainable growing economy by 2030.
