Govt hands controversial US$9m waste collection deal to Geo Pomona

The Zimbabwean government has awarded Geo Pomona Waste Management a contract to manage refuse collection in Harare, a deal that has raised eyebrows due to its hefty price tag and the financial strain it places on the already debt-ridden Harare City Council (HCC). The contract, valued at approximately US$9 million annually, comes amid growing concerns over the city's ongoing waste management crisis and its associated health risks.

For years, HCC has struggled to maintain effective waste collection services in both residential areas and the central business district, leading to environmental degradation and the spread of waterborne diseases such as cholera and typhoid. In response, President Emmerson Mnangagwa declared the waste management crisis in Harare a national disaster in October 2023.

Geo Pomona, led by executive chairperson Dilesh Nguwaya, is set to collect up to 650 tonnes of waste daily at a cost of US$40 per tonne. According to Nguwaya, the waste will be used for electricity generation for the national grid, contributing to Zimbabwe's energy needs. The cost per tonne is being touted as "fairly cheaper" than rates in Europe, with Nguwaya highlighting that waste management fees in countries like Austria and the UK can exceed US$100 per tonne.

"This joint venture with Harare is an opportunity to bring modern, European-standard waste management to Zimbabwe," Nguwaya stated. "Our charges are well below what you would pay in Europe, making it a cost-effective solution for the city."

The partnership comes after HCC appealed to the Ministry of Local Government for help in tackling its waste management woes. Minister Daniel Garwe emphasized that the government's intervention was necessary to alleviate the pressure on the city, which has faced severe financial challenges that have affected basic services like water, sanitation, and waste collection.

"Waste management has been a persistent challenge for our nation, and the expectations for this initiative are understandably high. The government, through private sector participation, is confident that Harare will witness immediate improvements in solid waste management," Garwe said at a press briefing attended by Harare Mayor Jacob Mafume.

Geo Pomona will assume responsibility for waste collection across key areas of the capital, including the central business district (CBD), Mbare, major roads, bus terminals, and shopping centres. The company's priority will be to clear illegal dumpsites and restore the city's cleanliness, which Nguwaya believes will not only beautify the city but also improve public health and protect the environment.

"We will clear illegal dumpsites and ensure that Harare is consistently clean and free of waste. A cleaner city will improve public health and the environment," Nguwaya added.

The deal also comes two years after the government handed over the management of the Pomona dumpsite to Netherlands-based Geogenix BV, which is also fronted by Nguwaya. This previous transaction, as well as the latest waste management contract, has sparked controversy, with critics questioning the financial implications and transparency of the agreements.

Recently, Harare's mayor and senior council officials were summoned by the Local Government Ministry and instructed to hand over refuse collection responsibilities to Geo Pomona by next month. While government officials remain optimistic about the deal's potential, some local leaders have expressed concerns over the long-term financial burden on the city's already strained budget.

As Geo Pomona prepares to take on the waste management challenge, many are watching closely to see if the private sector partnership will deliver the much-needed improvements to Harare's environmental and public health standards, or if it will become another controversial chapter in the city's ongoing waste management struggles.