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Minister Saviour Kasukuwere

Business Reporter
OVER 3 500 illegal occupants have settled on the country’s biggest timber producer, Allied Timbers’ plantations in a development that has paralysed operations, chief executive Joseph Kanyekanye  has said. Dr Kanyekanye said affected areas included estates in Penhalonga and parts of Chimanimani’s Mutasa District. Timber estates have been destroyed by fires in the process upsetting the production and forest replenishing cycles.

“About 3 500 settled around the forest. In terms of the area covered, its slightly over 3 000 hectares. The impact is in the form ofactivities around agriculture particularly this period up to about November,” he said.

The period around the start of the rainy season results in numerous fires that destroy the plantations as illegally settlers prepare for next agricultural season.

The Allied Timbers CEO would not give figures on the value of damage and loss that the company had suffered due to fires but said the amount ran into millions of dollars.

Mr Kanyekanye said this yesterday at a press briefing called by Environment, Water and Climate Minister Saviour Kasukuwere to announce a new board of directors that will lead Allied Timbers in the next three years.

Minister Kasukuwere said that the company had developed a strategic plan, which will guide Allied Timers operations. Dr Kanyekanye continues as the group CEO.

The new board comprises Mr Emannuel Fundira, Mr Jerry Gotora, Mrs Tendayi Mavhunga, Mrs Anne Madzara, Mr Mahomment Hussein Omar, Mrs Eve Mkondo, Mr Caleb Ernest Garura and Mrs Charity Sally Moyo.

The old board of directors was made up of Mr Livingstone Gwata, Mr Lovemore Mandimika, Dr Kanyekanye, Mrs Vela Mupawose, Mr Rungamo Mbire and a Mr Mudzamiri. The old board had been at the helm for 12 years.

“The board is expected to oversee implementation of this plan and where necessary, review and align it with the company’s aspirations as spelt out in the Zim-Asset,” he said.

He said Allied Timbers had a critical role to contribute towards the success of Zim-Asset.

“Some entities in Allied Timbers, at the moment, are not performing well and I expect you to come in with turnaround strategies that will see them realising profits.

“As a shareholder, I expect you to declare dividends at the end of each year. I also expect the board to grow the company’s revenue base through the expansion and development of strategic business units,” he said.

Minister Kasukuwere emphasised the point the he expected the board to inculcate a business culture through implementation of performance based management system the leading timber producer and processor.

Allied Timber Holdings (Pvt) Limited through its subsidiaries, is involved in the business of planting, harvesting, processing, marketing, and selling timber products for construction and furniture industries, as well as end user customers in Zimbabwe and internationally.

It offers laminated timber products, transmission and light poles, and round wood/poles; and veneer and plywood products, brandering, roof trusses, mouldings, doors, flooring, cover strips, and blackboards, as well as honey.

It also provides engineered blocks used for panel doors and mouldings. The group exports its products to Botswana, Namibia, South Africa, and the United States.