Maseru’s Waste Management Woes: Lesotho Partners with Geo Pomona Forge a New Path

By Staff Reporter

In a strategic move to address its ongoing waste management challenges, the Kingdom of Lesotho is poised to sign a memorandum of understanding with Geo Pomona Waste Management. This partnership follows a successful benchmarking tour by GeoPomona’s management team at the request of the Lesotho government, aimed at alleviating the waste crisis, particularly in the capital city of Maseru.

The two-day visit concluded with a crucial meeting between the Geo Pomona delegation and Prime Minister Samuel Maketane at State House in Maseru. The Prime Minister expressed his strong interest in collaborating with Geo Pomona to resolve the pressing waste management issues facing the nation. He directed the company to draft a technical proposal to facilitate the formalization of the agreement.

Leading the Geo Pomona team was Engineer Amos Marawa, Deputy Chief Secretary in the Office of the President and Cabinet, along with Dr. Dilesh Nguwaya, Executive Chairman and CEO of Geo Pomona. Their visit included a thorough assessment of the Tsosane dumpsite, located approximately 4 kilometers outside of Maseru, which has become a significant environmental and health hazard due to its proximity to residential areas.

The Tsosane dumpsite, plagued by critical issues, is slated for replacement by a proposed 39-hectare engineered landfill. The Maseru Municipal Council aims to establish this new landfill as part of a comprehensive strategy to enhance waste management within the city. However, the council faces considerable challenges, including the absence of a modern landfill and a severely outdated refuse collection fleet.

During their assessment, Geo Pomona representatives observed that the council continues to operate compactor trucks that were procured in 2007, many of which are no longer functional. This has led to operational inefficiencies, exacerbating the waste management crisis.

The two major streams of waste being handled by the council are general wastes and hazardous industrial sludge. Because of the inappropriate disposal system, serious repercussions such as contamination of the groundwater, bad odors, and release of hazardous gases pose a great threat to the nearby residents.

Geo Pomona Waste Management has pledged support for both the Lesotho government and the Maseru Municipal Council to help solve these issues. Their experience will come in handy to devise sustainable waste management solutions that will be of service to the community for better public health.

This partnership is a beacon of hope toward a better future in waste management for the region as Geo Pomona considers further expansion opportunities in Lesotho. With the backing of the Lesotho government and the innovative approaches from Geo Pomona, residents of Maseru can look forward to a cleaner, safer environment.