A TOP government official has disclosed that plans to introduce environmental police officers in urban centres to curb the problem of littering were at an advanced stage.
BY CHIEF REPORTER
Speaking at the launch of the organic pollutants national implementation plan in Harare on Tuesday, Environment, Water and Climate deputy minister Simon Musanhu said the move was meant to enforce anti-litter by-laws in urban centres.
“I am concerned because I sometimes walk across the city and hardly find rubbish bins. I am aware Harare City Council is looking for partnerships with the private sector to provide rubbish bins. I am also aware that plans to have environmental police to manage the issue of litter in town are at a developed stage,” Musanhu said.
He urged residents to join government’s anti-litter campaign, saying Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs) posed a major health hazard.
“They are highly toxic and harmful to humans and animals. The plan is truly national and the aim is to reduce and ultimately eradicate the usage of POPs,” Musanhu said.
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Zimbabwe is a signatory to the Stockholm Convention that advocates for the reduction of the use and production of POPS such as harmful industrial chemicals and pesticides. Environmental Management Agency director-general Mutsa Chasi also said they were contemplating setting up environmental offices at police stations to manage the problem of litter in cities.