Harare residents have petitioned the European Union and the Dutch embassy over the controversial Pomona waste to energy deal, urging them to take measures against what they termed ‘exploitative investments’.
This comes after the deal received widespread condemnation from citizens saying the agreement was a looting platform by political leaders with the Government adamant that Harare should be a state-of-the-art city.
The deal which has faced resistance from Harare Mayor Jacob Mafume led council will see Netherlands based many Geogenix B.V constructing a state of the art waste disposal plant that will also generate electricity for the capital city.
The money Harare city council has to pay to the Netherlands based company has been the main borne of contention.
The agreement compels Harare City Council to pay a daily US$22,000 bill whether it dumps waste or not. The figure will be doubled after 12 months.
Combined Harare Residents Association (CHRA) programs officer Reuben Akili said the deal is exploitative and will worsen inequalities hence the move to petition the EU.
“As Residents Associations and civil society organisations, we have agreed to petition the European Union and the Netherlands Embassy on the murky deal as it has the potential against exacerbating inequalities and poverty among residents of Harare. This is an investor coming from the Netherlands which is an EU member country hence it is important to plead and implore the EU to take measures on exploitative investments by people from their member countries.
“As you are aware Africa is losing billions of dollars every year due to such murky investments, and with this Pomona Deal the City of Harare will sink into a serious debt which will be borne by residents and ratepayers. The EU has been undertaking initiatives aimed at addressing inequalities and human rights in Zimbabwe hence we call upon them to protect the residents of Harare from predatory investments by people from their member countries as this exacerbates poverty among the urban poor,” said Akili.
Harare mayor Jacob Mafume has bemoaned concerted efforts by government to force it into agreeing a shadowy Pomona waste-to-energy deal, arguing those doing so will be dead after the 30 years it is supposed to run.
