Sundaymail Editor
Online Reporter
Verify Engineering, the Government-owned company that is presently producing medical oxygen at its plant in Mutare, is finalising another major plant to produce acetylene gas, which is used in welding and fabrication, among other critical industrial sectors.
Parliament recently visited the company’s facilities in Mutare.
In its report following the visit, Parliamentary Portfolio Committee chairperson for Higher and Tertiary Education Ms Lindiwe Maphosa said there was notable progress at the plant.
“An acetylene gas plant was at 80 percent completion stage, and this was expected to produce 2,5 tonnes of acetylene gas per day,” she said.
It is envisaged that locally produced acetylene gas will drastically reduce the cost of welding and fabrication works.
“Acetylene gas is so expensive and yet an indispensable material in both industries and SMES.
“Verify Engineering Gases informed the committee that the company had SMEs in mind, and its product will go a long way in guaranteeing affordable acetylene gas to the sector,” added Mrs Maphosa.
Verify Engineering is owned by Government through the Ministry of Higher and Tertiary Education, Innovation, Science and Technology Development.
The gas plant currently produces 50 tonnes of medical oxygen, which exceeds Zimbabwe`s current requirements.
Bongani Ndlovu
Online Reporter