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Manicaland Correspondent
ENVIRONMENT, Tourism and Hospitality Industry Minister Prisca Mupfumira has called on the ministry’s stakeholders to participate in the national clean-up programme scheduled for December 5, 2018 at Takashinga Sports Club, Highfield, in Harare.

Addressing journalists during a strategic planning stakeholders’ workshop held in Mutare last week, Minister Mupfumira said solid waste management was one of the pressing environmental issues confronting both urban and rural local authorities throughout Zimbabwe.

“The impact has been manifested through outbreaks of a number of waterborne diseases and flash flooding due to blockages in stormdrains in our cities and towns,” she said.

Minister Mupfumira identified a number of factors contributing to growing prevalence of waste in Zimbabwe.

“There has been rapid urbanisation in our cities, towns, growth points and even urban centres that has resulted in high population densities, illegal vending, sprouting of illegal settlements and expansion of residential and industrial areas,” she said.

“There has been an increase in the demand for packaged goods, as well as takeaway foods and beverages correlating with high post-consumer waste and uncensored culture of littering through vehicle windows and long walkways.”

Minister Mupfumira said waste recycling had not been fully embraced as a business venture, resulting in tonnes of residual waste accumulating in the environment and local authorities failing to match waste removal with generation rates culminating in littering and illegal dumping.

Minister Mupfumira urged all stakeholders to participate in the initiative for a good cause and get assistance from the Environmental Management Agency (EMA) where necessary.

“As we warm up for this important day of cleaning our country, various sectors and stakeholders are encouraged to engage in build-up clean-up programmes,” she said. “You can get assistance from EMA.”

The National Clean-Up launch will be running under the theme “Zero Tolerance to Litter -My Country, My Pride.’

President Emmerson Mnangagwa will preside over the launch, while Provincial M0inisters of State will officiate at provincial launches across the country.