Online Reporter
Online Reporter
AUSTRALIAN oil and gas exploration company Invictus Energy has conducted customary cultural ceremonies with traditional leaders in Muzarabani ahead of major site works and drilling operations for its flagship Cabora Bassa Project, underscoring the company’s commitment to respecting local traditions and customs.
The company carried out the ceremony from Friday night until Saturday in coordination with traditional leaders as part of preparations for the Musuma-1 exploration well.
Before the commencement of well-pad construction, road upgrades and other civil works, Invictus sought clearance through established customary protocols, a process that has become a key component of its stakeholder engagement strategy.
The company has also intensified consultations with chiefs and local communities in Mashonaland Central province to foster understanding and secure community support for its exploration activities.
Invictus says it views adherence to traditional customs as an important aspect of operational readiness, complementing agreements such as the Government-sanctioned Petroleum Production Sharing Agreement (PPSA).
The engagement reflects the company’s efforts to integrate cultural respect into its operations as it advances exploration activities in the Cabora Bassa Basin, one of Africa’s most promising frontier oil and gas regions.
One traditional leader said company representatives had approached him seeking assistance in conducting the ceremony before work begins at the exploration site.
“They told me they had identified an area where they wanted to work and requested that we conduct traditional rites before the project begins,” he said in an interview on national broadcaster, ZBC TV.
“Our ancestor, Madzomba, guided us from the beginning of this process. We have been hosting these people for the past two weeks and no one went back home for the two weeks,” he said.
Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services Minister Dr Zhemu Soda, who attended the ceremony on Saturday, said the ceremony marked the beginning of a new phase of exploration activities in the area.
“We spent the entire night listening to drums, singing and dancing, which signifies the commencement of a project that is set to be undertaken here,” he said.
“As you are aware, the exploration campaign continues after the drilling of the Mukuyu-1 and Mukuyu-2 wells in Mbire. The company now intends to move to this area, which they call Musuma-1.
“According to the traditions of this area, spirit mediums are supposed to be consulted, and this ceremony forms part of that consultation process.
“It is an assurance that jobs will be created and the livelihoods of our people in the area will improve. We are therefore excited about this development,” said Minister Soda.
The minister said the project was expected to bring economic opportunities to local communities while advancing Zimbabwe’s quest to unlock the potential of its oil and gas resources.
