Illegal dumps in Harare Metropolitan to be cleared in 6 weeks

Harare (New Ziana) -Treasury has released the first tranche of three equal amounts of US700 000 towards the Harare Metropolitan Province Emergency Solid Waste Management Program, a cabinet minister has said.

Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services Dr Jenfan Muswere said this during the post Cabinet media briefing on Wednesday.

He said exercise to clear the city of Harare of waste and illegal dumps is expected to be complete in the next six weeks.

The program is part of the government response to the deplorable state of solid waste management in the capital which has resulted in a spike of cholera cases.

“As of 8 November 2023, a cumulative total of 1 083 illegal dumps had been cleared, translating to 54 percent of the target,” said Dr Muswere.

“The main focus in the next six weeks will be to clear all remaining dumps. The target is to clear the following waste dumps: 10 per day in Harare; 9 per day in Chitungwiza; 2 per day in Epworth; and 2 per day in Ruwa.”

He said the Central Mechanical and Equipment Department (CMED) has since identified and incorporated all trucks, tippers, tractors and compactors in the four local authorities into the program after assessing the required repairs with a view to cutting down on the costs of hiring equipment.

“The Environmental Management Authority (EMA) has transferred finances to CMED for the repairs that should be completed within one week. EMA and the Taskforce team have developed a schedule of solid waste collection in most communities, which will be implemented from 13 November 2023. The target is to collect solid waste at least once per week at each household,” he said.

Dr Muswere said CMED is in the process of opening access roads in informal and formal communities which are inaccessible for the collection of waste and all local authorities have been directed to ring-fence funds levied for waste collection so that they can be utilised for that purpose.

The local authorities have also been directed to ensure that each business premise has a bin, and that the frontages of the premises are kept clean.

New Ziana