Source: ‘Take a leaf from Geo Pomona’ – herald Wallace Ruzvidzo Herald Reporter PRESIDENT Mnangagwa has urged local authorities to adopt Geo Pomona Waste Management’s pioneering model, saying the company’s scope and pace of development offer a blueprint for improving service delivery and community outcomes. In his remarks at a luncheon held at the waste […]
PRESIDENT Mnangagwa has urged local authorities to adopt Geo Pomona Waste Management’s pioneering model, saying the company’s scope and pace of development offer a blueprint for improving service delivery and community outcomes.
In his remarks at a luncheon held at the waste management facility’s new state-of-the-art The Sprout restaurant in Harare yesterday, the President called on municipalities to tap into the firm’s approach so that a broader range of communities can benefit from the economic and environmental benefits of its model.
“The successful construction of this restaurant, in particular, speaks volumes about Geo-Pomona as a trailblazing company, unafraid to venture into hitherto uncharted waters.
“The facelift and infrastructure constructed here stand as an example of our national development philosophy: Nyika inovakwa, inotongwa, inonamatigwa nevene vayo/Ilizwe lakhiwa, libuswe, likhu-le-ke-lwe ngabanikazi balo. Well done.
“I look forward to witnessing broader inclusivity in all these initiatives, such that other local authorities benefit from the model we are witnessing,” he said.
President Mnangagwa said the infrastructure constructed and new business models established in the Pomona Industrial Development Corridor were not only commendable, but testament to the confidence investors have in Zimbabwe.
He also said it was imperative that Geo Pomona chief executive officer and executive chairman Dr Dilesh Nguwaya is honoured and awarded for a job well done in transforming the former eyesore.
The President has previously presided over several key phases at the site, including the groundbreaking ceremony, the official opening of the sorting plant and the commissioning of refuse collection trucks and related equipment.
President Mnangagwa shares a lighter moment with Geo Pomona Waste Management chief executive and executive chairman Dr Dilesh Nguwaya (left), Tourism and Hospitality Industry Minister Barbara Rwodzi (second from right) and Deputy Minister of Sports, Recreation, Arts and Culture Emily Jesaya (right) on a tour of the firm’s grounds yesterday
The luncheon at the restaurant underscored how the facility has been transformed into a multi-purpose hub that blends waste management, energy generation and community amenities.
“Allow me to take the opportunity of this event to recognise and congratulate the development milestones we are also witnessing in the Pomona Industrial Development Corridor,” said President Mnangagwa.
“The infrastructure constructed and new businesses established in these environs since the Second Republic are testament of the confidence that investors have in our beloved motherland, Zimbabwe”.
This, he said, had created many jobs.
“Geo Pomona has risen from employing six people in 2022 to 1 200 employees presently. Well done. I urge you to continue with the culture of employing people from the surrounding communities,” President Mnangagwa said.
He said during his prior visits, he had seen the facility’s potential to go beyond waste management and venture into the hospitality industry too.
President Mnangagwa said developments at the facility fit seamlessly within the broader objectives outlined in the National Development Strategy 2 (NDS2) and Vision 2030.
“Nhasi tiripano kuzodya pa restaurant yakanaka kuti heki. Maona ka, kuti isu vadhara tinenge taona zvirimberisa.
“I am encouraged with both the scope and pace of development which is evident here,” said the President. “The efforts you are making to transform this site through ground breaking innovations and economic activities are applauded. Congratulations, makorokoto, amhlophe.”
Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services Minister Dr Zhemu Soda (right) and his Youth Empowerment, Development and Vocational Training counterpart Tino Machakaire share notes at the colourful event
Coupled with the environmentally sustainable innovations at the facility, President Mnangagwa said he had no doubt that The Sprout restaurant will serve as a symbol of progress and add another feather in the hat of the country’s well performing tourism and hospitality industry.
He challenged players in the hospitality and food sectors to deliberately source materials from local farmers.
“Additionally, following my Government’s modernisation and reconstruction of roads across cities and towns, I urge all stakeholders to ensure that the modern ambience in these respective areas is maintained.
“This should include the construction of suitable public transport sheds at designated stopping points, for road users.
“Equally, the efficient flow of traffic should be maintained and bottlenecks avoided,” said President Mnangagwa.
He congratulated Geo Pomona Waste Management and all its partners involved in its latest initiative and new restaurant.
“I also thank you for hosting us today (yesterday), which is in keeping with our long-standing African tradition, ‘Ukama igasva huno zadziswa nekudya’,” said the President.
In her remarks before introducing the President, Tourism and Hospitality Industry Minister Barbara Rwodzi said what Geo Pomona had done would inspire domestic tourism.
She said such initiatives were in tandem with Zimbabwe’s vision of achieving upper-middle-class economic status by 2030.
“The long term growth of tourism is in our communities.
“Here is an example of this transformation, a place that used to be a dumpsite now transformed into a recreational facility for tourism,” said Minister Rwodzi.
The President converses with former First Lady Dr Grace Mugabe (second from left), Defence Minister Oppah Muchinguri-Kashiri (left) and Geo Pomona Waste Management chief executive and executive chairman Dr Nguwaya (right) at the Presidential luncheon held at the new restaurant
Geo Pomona Waste Management chief executive officer and executive chairman Dr Dilesh Nguwaya said the restaurant marked a significant milestone in the development of the envisaged waste-to-energy plant.
He added that the venue served as both a corporate social responsibility initiative and an attraction for environmental tourism.
“This demonstrates our commitment to sustainable waste solutions, environmental protection and promotion of public health,” he said.
The lunch was attended by Cabinet ministers, their deputies, permanent secretaries, tourism and hospitality sector players and other senior Government officials.
