By Own Correspondent|The Environmental Management Authority (EMA) is encouraging citizens to come out in their numbers and clean their immediate environments on 1 February 2019 as this is the National Clean Up Day.
In a statement issued Friday, EMA called on citizens to participate in the exercise which will go a long way in creating a clean, safe and healthy environment.
Said EMA Communications Officer Joyce Chapungu:
On the 5th of December 2018, His Excellency, President E. D. Mnangagwa declared that the first Friday of every month is the national clean-up day. This came from the realisation that waste management had become an issue of concern affecting mostly the urban and semi urban centers of Zimbabwe.
This declaration will go a long way in creating clean environs as provided for by section 73 of the Constitution of Zimbabwe. The inaugural National Clean up Exercise was on the 4th of January 2019.
On that day, various stakeholders including the Presidium, Cabinet and Provincial Ministers, corporates, civil society, religious organisations, politicians and the media fraternity participated in the program, thus making it a success.
Such inclusive participation is commendable as it is a key enabler to attaining Sustainable Development Goal number 11 which is “To make cities and human settlements inclusive, safe, resilient and sustainable”.
The first Friday of February 2019 falls on the first day of the month. All citizens of Zimbabwe are encouraged to come out in their numbers and clean their immediate environs from 0800hours to 1000hours.
Clean the front, back, sanitary lanes and all areas around your premises and beyond. Pick up all litter and clear dumps. If we all participate, we will achieve a clean, safe and healthy environment. Clean up materials such as bin liners, brooms, pokers, latex gloves, pokers, rakes and shovels are required for this noble exercise and stakeholders are encouraged to procure these in preparation for all the up-coming clean-ups.
Where stakeholders may have challenges or unable to procure their own cleaning materials, the Environmental Management Agency (EMA) can assist.
For sustainability of the program, leadership involvement and participation is key. Additionally, all waste generators are encouraged to embrace and adopt waste separation at source as it enables waste to be re-used and recycled thus creating green jobs.