Hwange residents have petitioned the Environmental Management
Agency(EMA) over the increased pollution in Ingagula Township in the mining
town of Hwange.

Ingagula Township is situated near the Hwange Thermal Power Station and the
suburb is exposed to pollution due to its proximity to the power plant.
Although the suburb has been in existence for decades with residents enduring
air and land pollution from gases, residents have called for a quick response to
the relocation plea of the residents.

“We petition the government to push for the relocation initiative, before we’re
all exposed to respiratory diseases,” said Peter Mudimba Dube a Ingagula
resident.

The Environmental Management Act 20;27, however, applies to all parties
engaging in coal-related endeavours to be responsible. Every coal business
company must ensure they suppress dust at source as well as the routes to their
suppliers.

Greater Whange Residents Trust Co-coordinator Fidelis Chima said the level of
pollution in Hwange was becoming serious and there is need for urgent action.
“There is a need of regular monitoring and regulating the discharge or emission
of pollutants or hazardous substance in to Ingagula township from the power
station in line with section 9 of the Environmental Management Act 2002,” said
Chima.

The petition which was signed by Hwange residents’ representatives was
directed to EMA offices.

“We write to inquire if your office has been regularly monitoring and regulating
the discharge or emission of pollutants into Ingagula Township from the power
station. The duties of EMA in accordance to the law is to formulate quality
standards on air, water, soil, noise, vibration radiation and waste management
and monitor and regulate discharge or emission of pollutants or hazardous
substances into the environment, ”reads the petition.