adminLuthando Mapepa Post Correspondent
PETROTRADE, formerly NocZim, on Tuesday extended its tentacles to Chipinge by opening a 24-hour service station in the town. The state-of-the-art service station, which was built by South African-based businessman Mr Zacheous Mlambo and leased to Petrotrade, offers a wide variety of services ranging from fast foods, motor vehicle services, tyre-and-wheel balancing and alignment as well as car-wash, among others.
At its opening, the place was a hive of activity as motorists jostled to get the long-awaited professional services being introduced by Petrotrade.
Motorists interviewed by The Manica Post welcomed the new service station and said it would go a long way in improving fuel delivery in the district.
Cross-border motorists said the new service station was also convenient for cross-border transit service given that it opens 24 hours.
Mxolisi Sibanda, who is a cross-border, driver said: “The opening of a 24-hour service station in Chipinge will help to curb crime which was prevalent in areas like Checheche where we were forced to drive to, to get services. We will now be doing all transactions here in a safe environment.”
Another resident, Mr Amos Sigauke, said he appreciated what Petrotrade had done to the people of Chipinge because it had brought services close to the people.
“We would like to thank them because it was difficult for Government employees to redeem fuel coupons in Chipinge. We were being forced to travel a long distance to Mutare to redeem them, which is counter productive,” he said.
Petrotrade acting retail manager Miss Emilda Kasinama said her organisation was also making strides in embracing Government’s Zim-Asset programme.
“We are very happy with the support we are getting from the people of Chipinge. Our organisation needs to embrace all Government policies such as bringing services close to the people,” she said.
Chipinge District Administrator Mr Edgars Seenza welcomed the opening of the new service station and said it would change the face of Chipinge town.
He urged all successful people to plough back to the community that raised them.
“We are happy to gather here to celebrate the expansion drive of Chipinge town. This will go a long way in beautifying the town and we are urging potential investors to come and invest here. I hope in the next five years the face of Chipinge town will be transformed because some of potential institutions such as NSSA have already expressed their interest to construct a state-of-the-art complex,” he said.
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