Story by Tamuka Charakupa
LISTED crocodile-producing entity, Padenga Holdings, has commissioned a US$1.2 million wastewater treatment plant in Kariba in a move set to enhance compliance with local and international environment conservation obligations.
The commissioning of the plant is the firm’s latest move to conform to international environmentally sustainable practices.
Padenga Agri-business’s(a subsidiary of Padenga Holdings) Chief Executive Officer, Mr Garry Sharp said the investment speaks to adherence to environmentally sustainable standards.
“We have an obligation to sustainability for the benefit of citizens of Zimbabwe, to protect resources for future generations. Secondly, we have to demonstrate to our customers that we are conforming to environmentally sustainable standards.”
Environmental Management Agency (EMA) Director for Environmental Protection Mr Christopher Mushava reiterated the need for a collective effort in mitigating the effects of climate change, pollution and biodiversity loss.
“We strongly appreciate the strategic decision that Padenga Holdings has taken, to respond to the law enforcement efforts in this manner. We hope that other enterprises whose operations produce pollution are watching and will also invest and implement sustainable practices in their operations.
“The time to thrive on externalising pollution is slowly coming to an end as the process of strengthening environmental legislative framework and all the relevant statutory instruments to ensure compliance is at an advanced stage.
“The National Development Strategy 1 considers environmental protection, climate resilience and natural resources management as key enablers for the attainment of Vision 2030 and the Sustainable Development Goals,” Mr Mushava said.
Zambezi River Authority (ZRA) Senior Manager, Water Resources and Environmental Management, Engineer Bonface Mfula said the initiative will reduce water waste pollution.
“As the custodian of the Zambezi River and Lake Kariba, we commend Padenga Holdings for taking a leading role in environmental compliance. Lake Kariba was under threat from fisheries and this move enhances regional integration as far as environmental conservation is concerned.”
Meanwhile, Zimbabwe is set to host the Conference of the Contracting Parties to the Ramsar Convention on Wetlands (COP15) in Victoria Falls in July where issues of environmental conservation, pollution and climate change mitigation will take centre stage.
