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Herald Correspondent
PROSPECT Lithium Zimbabwe has bought eight staff buses to ensure staff reach its mine in Goromonzi, about 38km east of Harare, on time.
Chief Chikwaka of Goromonzi commissioned the staff buses.
Speaking on the sidelines of the commissioning on Wednesday, Chief Chikwaka said the acquisition of the staff buses underlines the giant lithium miner’s commitment to invest in Zimbabwe and make a difference.
“The people of Goromonzi have a lot to celebrate and give thanks to Prospect Lithium,” said Chief Chikwaka.
“This will make people travel in time without delays due to congestion. The service is efficient and will help all workers to get to their homes in time without delay.”
The traditional leader urged the drivers to always exercise caution on the roads.
It is expected that the staff buses will ease the transport challenges that were faced by Prospect workers, while also boosting production.
The workers live around the Harare and Goromonzi area and have to travel to the plant daily, and in some cases, they arrived for work late.
Headman Mwanza from the area said the buses will provide a safer and efficient means of transport for workers.
“I think this arrangement is key and it will assist communities. It is a good initiative,” he said.
Workers said the buses were a welcome development as they were struggling to get to work on time.
Delivery of the staff buses dovetails with Prospect’s philosophy of constantly striving to become stronger and pursue excellence.
The company has also renovated and built schools in the district, donated books, constructed and resurfaced roads, renovated the local police station, donated maize seed to local farmers and created employment for locals as part of its corporate social responsibility.
Last year, Prospect Lithium transformed Vhuta Primary School in Goromonzi, with new classroom blocks being constructed while old ones were renovated. Semi-detached teachers’ houses were built.
Prospect donated 5 500 textbooks and furniture to schools including Vhuta Primary, Belmont Primary, and Mwanza Primary and Secondary schools.
Other interventions included Vhuta Farmers’ Dry Show donation of prizes, Goromonzi highway road resurfacing, Goromonzi road gravelling and construction of bridges.
On security and law enforcement, Prospect donated painting accessories at Goromonzi Police Station and constructed a police base in Ward 13.
The lithium mining company, whose mission is to create value for customers, says it will continue to invest in the community.
It will also focus on increased commitments to reduce environmental footprint, boost health and education in the communities the company is operating in.
Despite the community achievements in less than a year, Prospect is set to put in motion what is one of Mashonaland East’s biggest mining and corporate social responsibility programmes in 2023.
Online Reporter