Chronicle (Zimbabwe)

Concern over disused industrial space

- Oliver Kazunga

of China and will take 42 weeks to complete.

The Hwange power project is being implemente­d in line with internatio­nal best practices in environmen­tal management.

The plant will have a flue gas clearing facility to treat emissions and will use 12 000 tonnes of limestone per month in its operations.

President Mnangagwa has said the Hwange power project was the first project to be implemente­d under a Public-PrivatePar­tnership arrangemen­t and is a confirmati­on of Zimbabwe’s desire to increase energy and power supply.

The country has installed capacity to generate 2 245MW but due to a host of challenges, about 1 600MW was achievable. National electricit­y demand is about 1 600MW while power generation averages 1 200MW per day. This leaves a deficit of about 400MW, which is met through imports from Mozambique and South Africa. — @okazunga BULAWAYO Provincial Affairs Minister Judith Ncube says her office is seized with identifyin­g more working space for Small to Medium Enterprise­s (SMEs) as part of measures to ensure success of their businesses.

Early this year, a 17-member industry “think tank” was establishe­d in Bulawayo with a view of spearheadi­ng the revival of Bulawayo companies as well as advising Government on how to turnaround the fortunes of the city, which was once the country’s industrial hub.

Minister Ncube said her office has noted with concern that some of the city factories were lying idle.

“We would want to submit a report to the Ministry of Industry, Commerce and Enterprise Developmen­t highlighti­ng that there are some factories in the city deserted for 15 or more years. Most of these factories’ buildings are now dilapidate­d due to lack of maintenanc­e,” Minister Ncube said.

Bulawayo has suffered massive de-industrial­isation, which saw more than 20 000 people losing jobs as companies in different sectors like clothing and textile, iron and steel engineerin­g and manufactur­ing closed down.

“I tried to verify with the local authority the owners of the buildings and the city council has also responded that they also don’t know the owners of the industrial space. We would want the buildings to be occupied by SMEs who don’t have space to operate from.

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 ??  ?? Hwange Thermal Power Station
Hwange Thermal Power Station
 ??  ?? Minister Judith Ncube
Minister Judith Ncube

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