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Chisumbanje-based ethanol producer, Green Fuel has this year lost 20 of its engineers and artisans to Sierra Leone, which has established a similar plant as Africa makes strides in adopting use of sustainable energy.A joint venture between government-owned Agricultural and Rural Development Authority and businessman, Mr Billy Rautenbach’s Macdom and Rating Investments, Green Fuel commenced operations five years ago and employs over 4 500 people.
Sierra Leone has also established a similar facility backed with funding from seven European countries and African development institutions such as the African Development Bank to the tune of $350 million.
“In the last three months, we have lost over 20 engineers and artisans to Sierra Leone, which has set up a similar plant,” said Arda chairperson Mr Basil Nyabadza.
“We are like the training centre for Africa.”
The West African country’s ethanol producer, which is linked to Swiss energy group, Addax Bioenergy, reportedly offered the Zimbabwean engineers and artisans irresistible packages.
Mr Nyabadza, however, applauded huge investments the Government made in its human resources.
Among Green Fuel’s lead engineers is University of Zimbabwe-schooled 33 year-old Mr Eric Berejena.
Mr Berejena has been with the Chisumbanje ethanol producer since the time it set up operations five years ago. “Although the engineers were poached , that has not stopped the project,” Mr Nyabadza said the firm would continue to recruit from the country’s pool of expertise.
Green Fuel is currently producing about 10 percent of the country’s fuel needs and is pushing the Government to increase mandatory blending to 20 percent.
Adoption of high blended fuels cuts the country’s fuel bill by up to $35 million annually. – New Ziana.
Online Reporter