The Environmental Management Agency (EMA) has expressed satisfaction with progress made by both EMA and the Bulawayo City Council (BCC) concerning the issue of illegal dumping sites in high-density suburbs in the city.

In November, EMA launched a program encompassing committee members from schools, churches, non-governmental organizations among others in a bid to instill responsibility of keeping the city clean.

The committee was set up to work closely with the local authorities to ensure litter is properly disposed of after cleaning sessions.

The programme will be officially launched today (Wednesday) at the Large City Hall.

In an interview with CITE, EMA Bulawayo metropolitan provincial manager, Decent Ndlovu, said the program has done well so far.

“I am happy to say that we have manage to clear some illegal dumping areas in high density suburbs. Of note being areas like Iminyela, Pelandaba and Mpopoma,” said Ndlovu.

“Residents in these areas responded well to the program as they are dumping their refuse in the spots were council easily collects every Friday.”

“We have also managed to closely work with the vendors at the market to keep their garbage in one place for easy collection and it is working.”

He added: “To ensure and inspect that cleaning is properly done, there are committees that will be working with the cleaning groups. These committees will comprise of representatives from the partaking stakeholders. EMA will be there to monitor the progress. We expect communities to take full responsibility of cleaning their respective areas.”

However, Ndlovu said there is more that needs to be done as residents in areas like Makokoba continue to dump in illegal dumping sites.

These clean up campaigns will be held every first Friday of the month.