Controversial Pomona deal still to take off

The Pomona deal was expected to provide a lasting solution to Harare's waste disposal headaches

Philemon Jambaya

Despite a clear road map of development at Geo Pomona, the site hasn’t developed meaningfully a year later.

Geo Pomona, a subsidiary of Geogenix BV, had promised to build internal roads, the scales and some facilities within the first three months of operation but nothing has happened yet.

The City of Harare had rejected and reversed the controversial deal but Local Government and Public Works Minister July Moyo pledged through Cabinet that they will foot the bills.

The company has been collecting levies and benefiting from devolution funds since May 2022.

Moyo once described the project as crucial to Zimbabweans.

“It took us a long time to come up with a project of this nature. We sent experts to take a look at how other countries manage their waste.

“This project is one we believe can be replicated by most councils, transforming waste to energy,” Moyo was quoted as saying back then.

Efforts to get an update on what is delaying development from the firm’s country representative, Delish Nguwaya, hit a snag as he had not responded to questions sent to him by the time of writing.

The deal with Geogenix BV was reached without public consultation and without going through the correct public procurement processes. It has not been subjected to any oversight by Parliament. Processes to solidify the deal were expedited with pressure on council officials.