adminRay Bande Senior Reporter
SAVE for Mbada Diamonds, who have been comparatively visible in the area they operate, companies doing business at the Chiadzwa diamond fields need a better understanding of their social responsibility.
About five companies are said to be operating in the diamond-rich area, but regrettably they have shown all and sundry that the main task and objective of their business is only to generate extra income and become rich and transfer money abroad while folks in the area not only continue risking their lives by inhaling fumes and dust from mining activities, but persistently wallow in abject poverty and hunger.
Calls have been repeatedly made albeit falling on deaf ears that the Chiadzwa mining companies need to look and evaluate what they have done for the people at whose expense they are getting rich.
The latest call for improved participation in community development projects by diamond mining companies was made by the Minister of State for Manicaland Provincial Affairs, Cde Chris Mushohwe.
Speaking during the hand-over ceremony, Cde Mushohwe, who also officially handed over to Headman Chiadzwa a state-of-the-art homestead constructed by the diamond mining concern, heartily thanked Mbada Diamonds for ploughing back to the community in which they operate through various ways.
Cde Mushohwe urged other diamond mining firms to emulate Mbada Diamonds in ploughing back to the community in which they operate.
The Mutare West Member of the National Assembly fell short of calling for review and subsequent cancellation of contracts of some of the companies operating at Chiadzwa.
“I sincerely want to thank Mbada Diamonds for remembering us during these difficult moments. As you heard, I personally approached the Mbada Diamonds management with a number of complaints or concerns and I am happy that they have swiftly and positively responded to one of the major challenges that people are facing.
“This is ample evidence of the fact that Mbada Diamonds is committed to ploughing back to the community in which they operate. I am aware that they have donated 400 tonnes maize-meal here and they will do the same at Mkwada and Arda-Transau. This is commendable.
“We are, however, worried by the behaviour of some of the diamond mining firms here who are reluctant to plough back to the community. They should seriously consider emulating what Mbada is doing or else we will take them head-on,” said Cde Mushohwe.
Recently, villagers at Chiadzwa were left all smiles after receiving 400 tonnes maize-meal from Mbada Diamonds.
The diamond mining concern usually donates foodstuffs to villagers located in areas surrounding the area they operate at Chiadzwa as well as those relocated to the Arda-Transau area just outside Mutare, but Mbada Diamonds handed over maize-meal to all the villagers including those in areas where other companies are operating.
Other villagers in Mkwada Village and those at Arda-Transau received 800 tonnes.
Mbada Diamonds’ corporate services executive Mr George Manyaya pledged his company’s commitment to the betterment of the lives of villagers in the area.
“In line with the country’s economic blueprint of Zim-Asset, which touches on food security and nutrition, we thought we should prioritise the provision of food before we chip in to assist in all other challenges that people here are facing.
“As Mbada Diamonds, we will always come back to you and share the little that we have.
“We are quite aware of the complaints or concerns that people out here want addressed. Minister of State for Manicaland Provincial Affairs Cde Mushohwe came to us with all your concerns and we promise to chip in where we can.
“As we get into Heroes’ holiday, we thought it prudent that we distribute maize-meal so that people have a pleasant Heroes’ holiday.
“We really want to thank you for the support that you have given us over the years. Your support comes in different ways including the labour that we get from your children employed at the mine.
“We are excited that we are keeping a cordial relationship with the people around us,” he said.
Village heads and councillors, who witnessed the hand-over ceremony, took turns to shower the diamond mining concern with praises for the donation and its commitment to fulfilling its social responsibility role.
Online Reporter