By Conrad Mwanawashe
GEOPOMONA Waste Management Company Executive Chairman, Dr Dilesh Nguwaya, says Madagascar, President Andry Rajoleina, will soon send a team to Zimbabwe to work towards replicating the waste to energy business model in the island country.
Nguwaya said this after meeting President Rajoleina at the Ambohitsirohitra Palace in Antananarivo.
“President Rajoleina promised to send a team to Zimbabwe to work towards creating a working relationship that can see us doing the same here in Madagascar,” said Dr Nguwaya.
Dr Nguwaya’s visit to Madagascar came after SADC leaders, including President Rajoleina, who were in the country for the 44th Heads of State and Government Summit, toured GeoPomona Waste Management, led by their host, President ED Mnangagwa.
President Mnangagwa said the waste-to-energy initiative has not only addressed the environmental challenges that were caused by this dumpsite, but the plant, once completed, will generate electricity for the national grid and called on other countries within the region to initiate similar innovative projects.
President Rajoelina emphasised the warm relations between his country and Zimbabwe as evidence by the GeoPomona visit.
“I’m grateful that Zimbabwe and Madagascar are now on a new path of diplomatic ties which will benefit the two countries on the political and economic front,” President Rajoleina said.
Apart from meeting President Rajoleina, Dr Nguwaya also held talks with several government ministers from sectors such as energy and hydrocarbons, environment and sustainable development, water, sanitation and hygiene and foreign affairs.
“It is essential that private companies are also part of the engagement and re-engagement agenda as testified by this visit which has opened new avenues of co-operation between the two countries,” Dr Nguwaya said.
President Mnangagwa recently praises GeoPomona for enhancing environmental benefits, and for the project’s contribution to reducing greenhouse gas emissions in line with Zimbabwe’s National Determined Contributions (NCDs).
“Our vision for Zimbabwe is to prioritise environmentally sensitive waste management and disposal systems in all our communities,” according to President Mnangagwa.
