Online Reporter
Conrad Mupesa
Mashonaland West Bureau
THE setting up of a multi-million-dollar cement plant on the outskirts of Magunje Growth Point by Whi-Zim, a Chinese company, is progressing well ahead of its commissioning in June next year.
Site levelling works have been completed and the facility has been connected to the national grid.
The company has taken delivery of construction materials, with preliminary work to set up the plant, and accommodation is now in place.
The progress update was given by the Whi-Zim operations manager, Mr Grant Salim, during a field tour by a team from the office of Mashonaland West Minister of State for Provincial Affairs and Devolution today to assess progress.
He said the company was going to complete the installation and commissioning of the concrete mixing station and brickmaking machine equipment by the end of May.
The company also intends to complete the construction of the transmission line by the end of this month and the construction of offices and accommodation by the end of July.
At least 60 locals have so far been employed by the investors, with the figure expected to gradually increase to 2 000 workers.
The company will have a production capacity of 1,2 million tonnes of clinker cement and 1,8 million tonnes of high cement annually.
Deputy Director of Economic Development for Mashonaland West Provincial Affairs and Devolution, Mr Gallant Kunodziya, said the Government was committed to addressing the challenges being faced by the investor including work permits for 300 Chinese officials.
Chief Chanetsa on whose land the plant is being built, applauded President Mnangagwa for opening Zimbabwe to investors, which was going to see his area develop.
The company falls under Yaobai International Holding Limited, formerly known as West International Holding Limited, a multinational conglomerate under the Hong Kong-listed company West China Cement Limited.
