Chronicle Editor
Patrick Chitumba
THE Small and Medium Enterprise Development Corporation (Smedco) has shut down its incubation centre at Mkoba 6 shopping centre in Gweru for renovations leaving about 40 Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) with no place to operate from.
Smedco is a parastatal under the Ministry of Women Affairs, Community, Small and Medium Enterprises Development and is mandated to promote and develop MSMEs whether operating in the formal or informal sector of the national economy, for sustainable development.
Smedco achieves the mandate through encouraging and assisting in the establishment of MSMEs providing financial assistance, management counselling, training, information and advice to these MSMEs.
In addition, Smedco facilitates the establishment or sets aside premises or areas for the establishment and development of particular classes of MSMEs.
At Mkoba 6 shopping centre, Smedco had availed space for the MSMEs at the incubation hub that was opened in 2007.
Housed at the centre were mostly carpenters, welders and tailors.
On Sunday the Chronicle news crew witnessed the MSMEs removing their machines such as welding machines, compressors, and sewing machines from the Smedco cubicles.
Yesterday, Smedco engaged tilers who were busy tiling the cubicles signaling the commencement of the renovation of the cubicles.
The MSMEs who used to occupy the cubicles could be seen milling around as they are not sure if they will have their lease agreement renewed.
Some were said to have been failing to pay the monthly rentals of US$40 per month while others were failing to properly look after their working spaces.
“We were told to vacate the premises because they want to renovate the spaces which is what they are doing. Some of us were paid up in terms of rentals while others were not. At the moment we have nowhere to operate from and we don’t know when the renovations will be completed and if our leases will be renewed,” said one of the occupants.
Contacted for comment, Smedco Gweru branch manager Mr Catrice Mutandwa confirmed the closure of the centre which he said is an incubation hub for the MSMEs.
“The incubation hub has been closed for renovations, yes. We asked the previous occupants to remove their things to pave the way for renovations. We want to put those units up to top standard, they must be uniform because we want a modern centre,” he said.
Mr Mutandwa said renovations will include tiling, painting, putting new ceilings, paving the outside, and putting shutter doors.
“The doors, the ceilings and the floors were all damaged and that is why we are renovating them. We will also pave the place and erect signal boards and works are expected to take about six weeks to be completed. Once completed we will have the place officially reopened by the Government officials,” he said.
Mr Mutandwa said it is a pity that some occupants had been occupying the cubicles from 2007 when the place was opened instead of developing and moving to bigger places.
“From its inception, this was and is an incubation hub for small to medium enterprises so that they have room to develop and grow their business and move on to give other upcoming businesses a chance to grow. But we have some who have been there since 2007 and are not growing or don’t want to grow, which is sad,” he said.
He said some of the leases will not be renewed for various reasons which include failure to pay rentals. — @pchitumba1
Online Reporter