Online Reporter
Columbus Mabika in Masvingo
Masvingo Province, with the highest dam density in the country, could soon become Zimbabwe’s energy production hub with plans afoot to set up more power generating plants at Tugwi-Mukosi Dam.
In his keynote address at the Masvingo Investment Conference which ends today, Minister of Finance, Economic Development and Investment Promotion, Professor Mthuli Ncube, said the province is crucial in the development of clean energy hubs towards a prosperous and empowered Upper Middle-Income Society by 2030.
“Masvingo boasts the highest dam density in the country, which makes a greenbelt of irrigation development and has more than 30 minerals, with lithium, gold, coal and diamonds being most lucrative in the province,” he said.
“In the energy sector, the province is becoming a hub for energy production, with the Mutirikwi mini-hydro power plant generating five megawatts of electricity daily. There are plans underway to build another plant at Tugwi-Mukosi Dam.”
Minister Ncube said the high-impact projects in the province’s pipeline are anchored on the growth rate in agriculture, energy, infrastructure and mining.
In line with the devolution agenda, he said Government remains committed to creating a conducive environment for investment, in particular, lowering regulatory costs and improving the ease of doing business.
He said there should be a focus on value addition and beneficiation, especially in downstream processing of precious stones and lithium battery manufacturing, leading to the establishment of Special Economic Zones.
Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Rural Development Minister, Dr Anxious Masuka speaking on investment opportunities in agriculture, urged communities countrywide to use diverse water resources at their disposal.
“By tapping into the potential of the country’s various water bodies, the Government aims to empower communities to diversify their operations and explore new avenues of growth and productivity within the agricultural landscape. That is why we have now said that we will not remove people living closer to water bodies,” said Dr Masuka.
