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Herald Reporter

Inadequate resources within local authorities has hampered their ability to invest in modern waste management, Local Government and Public Works Permanent Secretary Mr Zvinechimwe Churu told a Parliamentary committee yesterday.

Mr Churu was appearing before the Portfolio Committee on Local Government, Public Works and National Housing during an inquiry on issues affecting waste management within local authorities.

The problem was prevalent in urban councils due to population density.

There was still a lot of uncollected rubbish, a lot of public dumping, with only two out of 92 councils using adequate dumpsites.

Most of the dumpsites are unfenced and there is no burying of waste, raising health and fire risks.

“Our systems of waste management have not kept up with the times,” said Mr Churu.

“It’s largely to do with investments. Yes, we have issues of attitudes.

“But when it comes to local authorities, it is the limited resources which has limited their ability to invest and purchase appropriate equipment.”

Mr Churu said there was a bad culture of littering among the public, which poses a challenge to waste management.

The National Environment Cleaning Day was launched by President Mnangagwa in 2018 to ensure a clean environment.

The President set the first Friday of every month as the National Environment Cleaning Day, but has not been observed since the lockdown measures to contain the spread of Covid-19 were effected in March, although citizens were advised to clean their surroundings.

Mr Churu said Government was considering making large producers of waste pay for its management, adding that the recently appointed provincial development coordinators will work closely with the Environmental Management Agency (EMA) in waste management in educating citizens on the need to manage litter appropriately.

“EMA is to undertake public awareness with local authorities in order to reduce, re-use and recycle waste,” said Mr Churu.

“In terms of recycling we would want our local authorities to court possible investors with the ministry for the environment for recycling and plants and then assist clusters of councils with waste.”