28 Jun 2021

A consultant engaged to develop the Integrated Waste Management Policy has been advised to extend consultation to other key stakeholders.

North West District Council (NWDC) secretary, Mr Motlogelwa Thuso made the suggestion after the presentations on the draft Integrated Waste Management Policy during a virtual special meeting of the District Development Committee (DDC).

For the policy to produce good results, he said, it needed buy-in and stressed the need to engage other stakeholders such as political leaders, non-governmental organisations to solicit their input.

In addition, Mr Thuso said since Ngamiland was a tourism area, there was a need to consult tourism operators to partake in the development of the policy.

However, Mr Thuso welcomed the draft policy, saying that it was long overdue and that they had been using the act which did not provide guidance on waste management.

The policy, he said, would help local councils as it would give credence to formation of waste management plans, noting that NWDC was developing waste management plan which was disrupted by COVID-19 pandemic.

The council secretary highlighted that they would have an opportunity to borrow from the new policy for guidance. He also emphasised that the issues of resources and capacity in councils were critical, noting that councils had not received necessary support in terms of resources.

“It is expensive to manage waste and as such we need resources to be rationalised and optimised,” he added. Earlier, the department of Waste Management and Pollution official, Mr Kefentse Mokokwe revealed that consultation with all key stakeholders was ongoing, noting that the exercise started in 2017.

He said they would also engage stakeholders in districts, adding that the draft policy would be discussed in the July meeting of Parliament for approval.

Mr Thuso explained that the policy aimed to provide a framework for sustainable waste management that would integrate socio-economic, political, technical, institutional and legal factors to protect human health and environment.

Its objectives are to promote equitable access to waste management services, reduce the quantity of waste destined for disposal, promote proper treatment and disposal of waste and to support waste planning through regular collection and reporting of waste management data.

Mr Mokokwe shared that some recommendations in the policy were that local authorities (LAs) should remain a key stakeholder in carrying out municipal waste related activities, including the formulation and enactment of bye-laws.

Another recommendation is to strengthen capacity of local authorities so that they develop transparent and equitable fees, support planning and contracting out as well as developing regulations consistent with established national standards.

He also stated that the waste policy recommended legislative and institutional review in the short to medium terms and that the present consultancy would address that through stakeholder participation.

Mr Mokokwe urged DDC members to share their views to improve the waste sector, which has a significant bearing on the tourism and other sectors of the economy.

Citing limitations, the consultant legislative counsel, Ms Kelebogile Moremi admitted that consultation was paramount but noted that they had limited access to key stakeholders due to time constraints and COVID-19 pandemic.

She also stated that the policy was currently being taken through governance structures for approval. The draft policy, she said had recommended review of Waste Management Act and realigning of the roles and responsibilities of the institutions involved in waste management.

Another recommendation is to establish regulatory body powers to prevail over all bodies on waste management and coordinate activities of other regulators of specific waste streams. ENDS