Councils, EMA join hands to save the environment

LOCAL authorities in Mashonaland West province have agreed to come up with by-laws and training programmes on environmental management to preserve the environment.

Norton Town Council has since passed a resolution to enforce environmental by-laws, while Mhondoro-Ngezi Rural District Council has partnered the Environmental Management Agency to train councillors on environmental preservation.

In a statement last week, Norton Town secretary Mr Kizito Muhomba said they were seeking Government approval to enforce the environmental by-laws.

The by-laws would compel residents to preserve and protect the environment.

“Norton Town Council intends to apply for approval of by-laws to be cited as NTC (Environmental Management) By-Laws, 2018, which the council has passed,” he said.

“The purpose of the proposed by-laws is to ensure protection of the environment, prevention of pollution and environmental degradation and to ensure there are environmental plans for management and protection of the environment.”

EMA last month trained 115 community leaders including councillors from Mhondoro-Ngezi district on conservation of the environment.

The community leaders have since been certified by EMA after going through an environmental conservation training workshop.

Councils are working with EMA, a statutory body, to formulate quality standards on air, water, soil, noise, vibration, radiation, and waste management and local environment action plans.

EMA works with local authorities in the implementation of their local environmental action plans.