adminSukoluhle Ndlovu Midlands Correspondent
At least 3 000 people in the Midlands province have been engaged in different capacities by companies since the ushering in of the new political dispensation under the leadership of President Mnangagwa in November last year, an official has said.
In an interview last week, the Midlands Minister of State for Provincial Affairs Cde Owen Ncube said he was pleased with the growth of the industrial sector in the past three months since the ushering in of the new dispensation.
He said the growth of the industrial sector also meant a surge in employment opportunities for the people.
“I am very pleased to note that there has been a significant growth in the industries in the Midlands province, a growth that has seen about 3 000 people being employed as contract or permanent employees.
“Bata Shoe Company has increased its workforce to 1 200 from 400. Unki Mines has employed about 1 000 people and Mimosa Mining Company has employed about 1 500 contract employees from the local communities,” said Cde Ncube.
He said Zimbabwe Mining and Smelting Company (Zimasco) has also re-engaged some of its former employees signalling brighter days for the province and the country at large.
Cde Ncube said he had toured a number of companies in the province such as Caridorn Abrasives, Bata Shoe Company, Zimasco, Unki Mines, Mimosa Mining Company, Ziscosteel and as part of his familiarisation tours since his appointment last year.
He said although the industrial sector has not yet reached its full potential, Government was optimistic that even the closed companies like asbestos miner Shabani- Mashava Mines would be reopened and employ more people.
“It is our priority that companies like Ziscosteel, ZimAlloys and Shabani Mashava Mines open as a matter of urgency for the development of our country.
“We have since engaged the Minister Industry and Commerce, Cde Mike Bimha, about the state of industries in Midlands and he said his ministry is committed to help us resuscitate these companies,” said Cde Ncube.
He said he was also pleased about progress made by the Gweru City Council in the rehabilitation of roads and reopening of Mtapa Maternity clinic.
“GCC has managed to refurbish about 27km of their roads after getting funds from Zinara. The local authority also managed to reopen Mtapa Maternity Clinic, which was closed in 2013 after it failed to meet the required health standards.
“So we have every reason to smile and celebrate the coming in of the new dispensation,” he said.
Online Reporter