Online Reporter
Geo Pomona Waste Management has pledged to assist the Lesotho Government and the Maseru Municipal Council in addressing critical waste management challenges at the Tsosane dumpsite, located approximately 45 kilometres outside town.
The announcement came during Geo Pomona’s tour of the dumpsite on Thursday, where their team assessed the site’s pressing issues and explored solutions.
The Tsosane dumpsite, which has become an environmental and health hazard due to its proximity to residential areas, will potentially be replaced by a proposed 39-hectare engineered landfill.
Maseru Municipal Council aims to establish the new landfill as part of a comprehensive plan to improve waste management in the city.
However, the council currently faces numerous challenges, including the absence of a modern landfill and a severely outdated refuse collection fleet.
Compactor trucks procured in 2007 are still in use but are no longer functional, thereby contributing to operational inefficiencies.
During the visit, it was observed that the council manages two major waste streams – general waste and hazardous industrial sludge.
The lack of a proper disposal system has led to significant issues, including groundwater contamination, foul odours, and the release of hazardous gases, posing serious risks to nearby residents.
Maseru City Council town clerk and chief executive officer, Mr Moea Makhakhe highlighted the urgency of the situation.
“There are many challenges that we are facing at the dumpsite,” Makhakhe said.
“It is too close to the residential areas, it is now full, and it is posing various health and environmental risks. The reason we invited Geo Pomona is to explore potential partnerships to address these challenges both in the short and long term.”
Geo Pomona’s chief executive officer and executive chairman Dr Dilesh Nguwaya noted the similarities between the Tsosane dumpsite and the Pomona dumpsite in Harare, Zimbabwe, before their intervention.
“The situation here is almost similar to what we faced at the Pomona dumpsite before we took over from the City of Harare. We transformed the dumpsite into a world-class waste management facility and it is the same processes that we want to do here with the Government of Lesotho,” he said.
“There is an urgent need for a comprehensive solution to manage this dumpsite effectively.”
He noted the transformation of the Pomona dumpsite into a world-class waste management facility and expressed confidence in replicating similar results in Lesotho.
“There is need to come up with a good solution to manage this dumpsite,” said Dr Nguwaya.
