dyton mupawaenda
Mukudzei Chingwere-Herald Reporter
President Mnangagwa is walking the talk on driving the country towards an empowered upper-middle income economy by 2030 through fostering and championing the requisite infrastructure development, in line with such an advanced economy, Vice President Dr Constantino Chiwenga has said.
He said this yesterday at the commissioning of the National Oil Infrastructure Company of Zimbabwe ethanol storage and handling facility in Mabvuku, Harare.
A functioning economy especially one as envisioned by President Mnangagwa, needs national fuel security as fuel is a key component of economic development and such storage and handling facilities as the one commissioned yesterday, were a vital addition to the country’s national infrastructural architecture, said VP Chiwenga.
“This is a milestone event in line with the Second Republic’s thrust of infrastructural development, and security of fuel supply in Zimbabwe,” said VP Chiwenga.
“The President identified infrastructural development as a key driver for accelerated attainment of Vision 2030. The President laid out a clear vision of taking the country to a prosperous and empowered upper-middle income society by 2030.
“Under the National Development Strategy 1, infrastructural development and fuel security are some of the cornerstones of achieving the 2030 Vision.
“As a nation, we are proud of the successful construction of the ethanol tanks as they not only improve fuel infrastructure, but they also contribute to security of fuel supply.
“We are all aware that the President has restated that the country is committed to reducing emissions by 40 percent as it joins global efforts in containing climate change-induced by human activities.
“Ethanol production and use as a fuel therefore becomes very crucial in the fight against the devastating impacts of climate change. Using ethanol to reduce petroleum consumption does not only protect our environment, it also continues to strengthen national security of fuel supply and reduce transport cost for businesses and consumers,” said VP Chiwenga.
Through the visionary leadership of President Mnangagwa, Zimbabwe has set aside more than 25 000 hectares of land in the Lowveld to ensure adequate feed stock to produce ethanol at all times.
VP Chiwenga encouraged sugarcane farmers and ethanol producers to take advantage of the Tugwi-Mukosi Dam, which has the potential to increase sugarcane production by a further 1,7 to 2,5 million tonnes for processing sugar for export, ethanol for fuel blending and electricity generation.
President Mnangagwa launched two energy policies setting the tone for the development and sustainable exploitation of renewable energy.
The National Renewable Energy Policy and Biofuels Policy of Zimbabwe seek to promote optimal supply and use of energy for socio-economic development.
Online Reporter