Bulawayo residents oppose Geo Pomona deal

The Bulawayo United Residents Association (BURA) has raised concerns over a Government directive for the City of Bulawayo to engage Geo Pomona Waste Management in the management and redevelopment of Richmond Landfill, commonly known as Ngozi Mine.

In a statement issued on September 16, BURA acknowledged the urgent environmental and public health challenges facing the city as a result of the long-running problems at the landfill, including recurring fires, smoke emissions, poor waste management and pollution affecting surrounding communities.

However, the residents' association said it was concerned about the manner in which the proposed intervention was being pursued, particularly what it described as the exclusion of residents from a decision with implications for their health, environment and finances.

"Residents are not mere consumers of Government policy," BURA said, arguing that people living in Bulawayo should be treated as active stakeholders in decisions affecting the city.

The organisation said residents bear the consequences of waste-management decisions, finance local government services through rates and are directly exposed to environmental impacts.

BURA said its objection was not directed at private-sector involvement in waste management or specifically at Geo Pomona, but at the process through which the proposed arrangement was being pursued.

It raised concern over a reported seven-day ultimatum, saying this created the impression that the outcome had already been determined before residents, councillors and other stakeholders could properly scrutinise the proposal.

The association called for the proposed Memorandum of Understanding between Government, the council and Geo Pomona to be made public before it is signed.

BURA said residents should be given clarity on the duration of Geo Pomona's proposed involvement, the financial implications for the city and ratepayers, who would finance infrastructure and operations, and what would happen to existing waste-management operators, recyclers and informal waste pickers.

It also called for details on environmental safeguards, performance monitoring, the obligations of Government, council and the private company, and what measures would be taken if the arrangement failed to deliver.

Questions were also raised over the procurement and legal processes followed in selecting the proposed operator.

BURA said the crisis at Richmond Landfill should not be used to bypass accountability, arguing that an environmental and public health emergency should instead strengthen transparency and public participation.

"Government can act urgently while still consulting residents. An emergency response can be implemented immediately while the longer-term waste-management model is subjected to proper public scrutiny," the organisation said.

Among its demands, BURA called for immediate publication of the proposed MOU, meaningful consultation with residents and stakeholders, full disclosure of financial implications, transparency on procurement and the legal basis for the arrangement, and protection of existing livelihoods.

It further called for an independent environmental and technical assessment, a clear mechanism for monitoring the operator and handling complaints, as well as regular public reporting on waste collection, recycling, landfill rehabilitation, environmental compliance and financial performance.

BURA urged Government and the City of Bulawayo to pause any final commitment that excludes residents and create room for meaningful consultation.

"Bulawayo deserves a modern, sustainable and environmentally responsible waste-management system. But Bulawayo also deserves a voice in deciding what that system looks like," the association said.

BURA said it remained willing to engage Government, the City of Bulawayo, Geo Pomona and other stakeholders in finding a sustainable solution to the Richmond Landfill crisis, while insisting that residents' interests, the environment and local livelihoods should remain at the centre of the process.