adminWalter Nyamukondiwa Chinhoyi Bureau
THE Zimplats Mhondoro-Ngezi-Chegutu-Zvimba Community Share Ownership Trust (CSOT) plans to set up a $3 million chicken processing abattoir in Norton which is expected to create more than 1 000 jobs.
At full capacity, the abattoir is expected to process about 90 000 chickens daily for the local and international market.
The project is an offshoot of the $10 million injected by platinum giant Zimplats under the Indigenisation and Economic Empowerment programme.
CSOT chief executive Mr Swedi Phiri said delays in securing land for the project were stalling its immediate implementation.
“All the resources for the project are now available, but we are only waiting for Norton Town Council to process our application and allocate us land.
“Due to the nature of the project we are looking for land with on-site infrastructure such as water, sewerage and electricity connection,” he said.
Projections are that construction of the abattoir should be complete in four months.
More than 1 200 people from the three districts covered by the CSOT including Mhondoro-Ngezi, Chegutu and Zvimba are set to be employed at the abattoir.
The Mhondoro-Ngezi-Chegutu-Zvimba CSOT is one of the most successful community trusts in the country with part of the initial $10 million yielding more than $1 million after investment.
Disbursements from the trust have supported several initiatives and complemented efforts by local authorities in carrying out projects identified by the community.
Some communities have had schools rehabilitated and upgraded, roads and bridges repaired among other projects.
The CSOT has partnered Chegutu-based chicken processing company Sables to supply chickens and the abattoir is expected to complete the value chain.
Online Reporter