Geo Pomona is in discussions with the Bulawayo City Council (BCC) regarding a proposal to establish a waste-to-energy plant at the city’s Ngozi Mine dumpsite. The discussions were confirmed by a government spokesperson following a meeting on Thursday between company and city officials.
The meeting involved Geo Pomona Chief Executive Officer Delish Nguwaya and Bulawayo Mayor David Coltart. Ndabaningi Mangwana, the Permanent Secretary for the Ministry of Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services, confirmed the engagement took place.
In a statement following the meeting, Mayor Coltart characterized the visit from Nguwaya as a “courtesy call.” He stated that Geo Pomona representatives presented their proposal for a waste-to-energy project. Coltart added that he informed the company that any such project would be required to go through a formal public tender process in compliance with procurement laws. He said the council has not made any commitments.
The proposed Bulawayo project is intended to replicate the model of the waste management and energy plant operated by Geo Pomona in Harare. Nguwaya, in addition to his role as CEO, also serves as a presidential advisor on waste management.
The Harare project, located at the Pomona dumpsite, is based on a 30-year build-operate-transfer (BOT) agreement between the company and the City of Harare. Under the terms of that agreement, the city is obligated to pay a fee per ton of waste delivered to the site.
The Harare deal has been a subject of public debate. In 2022, the Harare City Council passed a resolution to suspend the contract, with some councilors raising concerns about the financial obligations it placed on the municipality. The central government later instructed that the project should proceed, stating its importance as a national initiative. Government officials have promoted the project as a modern solution to waste management challenges and a source of renewable energy.
The Bulawayo City Council has previously discussed the need for an updated waste management system for the Ngozi Mine dumpsite, which has been cited as a significant environmental and health concern for the city. As of now, the discussions with Geo Pomona are in preliminary stages, and no formal agreement has been presented or signed.
