admin
that the Chisumbanje Ethanol Plant should resume operations.
Chisumbanje Ethanol Plant is owned by Green Fuel which is a joint venture between Macdom, Rating Investments and Government through Arda.
It is currently the only producer of ethanol in Zimbabwe.
Energy and Power Development Deputy Minister Cde Hubert Nyanhongo told The Herald yesterday that he would meet officials from the Zimbabwe Regulatory Authority today to work on the issuance of a licence that would enable Green Fuel to sell anhydrous ethanol to all licenced oil companies in Zimbabwe.
This followed the gazetting of regulations making it mandatory for all licenced oil companies to sell petrol blended with a minimum of 5 percent of locally-produced ethanol.
“The VP made an instruction in her capacity as Acting President and it was an instruction directed to us as a ministry,” said Cde Nyanhongo.
“Following the instruction, everyone in the ministry should play his or her part and we are going to meet with officials from Zera tomorrow (today) to work on the issuance of that license.
“When the President gives such an instruction we do not have an option but just to implement it. It is an offence for us to defy that instruction as a ministry.”
Cde Nyanhongo said he would do everything in his power to ensure that Green Fuel gets a licence as soon as possible.
He said when the Chisumbanje Ethanol Project started the investors were given the relevant documents guiding their operations.
Cde Nyanhongo said it was unfortunate that after the formation of the inclusive Government some people thought that it was Zanu-PF project.
“We need such serious investors in the country.
“The Chisumbanje Ethanol Plant has created a lot of opportunities for the country. It is unfortunate that some people think that it is a Zanu-PF project and that is why they are against it,” he said.
Also see . . .
Cde Nyanhongo said politicians should not sabotage development to gain political mileage.
He said there was nothing wrong with the use of ethanol as it was being used the world over.
Cde Nyanhongo said developed countries such as the United States of America and emerging economies such as Brazil were using ethanol.
Last week VP Mujuru ordered that the Chisumbanje Ethanol plant be opened today.
She said its closure had affected workers, farmers and villagers in the surrounding communities.
VP Mujuru said people should not suffer due to political bickering between parties in the inclusive Government.
More than 4 500 workers had been laid off after the plant was closed in February last year.
Online Reporter