July Moyo Defends Pomona Dumpsite Deal
The Minister of Local Government and Public Works, July Moyo, has defended the controversial Pomona dumpsite deal despite admitting that they did not follow tender procedures.
This comes after Harare North legislator Allan Markham (MDC Alliance), approached the High Court seeking a review of the Pomona dumpsite deal between the Harare City Council and Netherlands-based Geogenix BV.
Under the deal, the City of Harare pays US$22 000 per day or US$8 million annually to dump waste at its Pomona dumpsite.
In his opposing affidavit filed at the High Court, Moyo said the deal will benefit Harare residents. He said:
In this instant case, an unsolicited bid was made to first respondent (Harare City Council) by the Geogenix BV, and the first respondent submitted it to ZIDA (Zimbabwe Investment and Development Agency) as is required by the law.
…. It [the deal] will also reduce the amount of pollution which is being experienced by residents in Harare, especially those who stay in and around the area of Pomona, taking into consideration the hazardous incidents which have occurred there in the previous years.
Markham has cited the Harare City Council, Moyo, Harare deputy mayor Stewart Mutizwa, suspended Harare mayor Jacob Mafume, acting town clerk Phakamile Moyo and Geogenix BV as respondents.
Delish Nguwaya, who represents the Netherlands-based Geogenix BV, said that due diligence was done before the company was given the contract. Said Nguwaya:
First respondent’s officials, particularly engineers together with officials from the second respondent visited Italy and Tirana in Albania as part of the due diligence exercise.
The officials managed to see other projects carried out by the sixth respondent similar to the one proposed at Pomona dumpsite.
Post this visit through the Zimbabwe Investment Development Agency, engagements continued resulting in parties coming up with a draft joint venture.
The draft agreement was negotiated with City of Harare officials, the Attorney-General of the Republic of Zimbabwe, the Ministry of Finance and Economic Development and the Ministry of Local Government.
Government and Public Works officials and the Geogenix BV and the process was transparently done.
Cabinet rendered an oversight role as the project was of national interest.
