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Cletus Mushanawani Mash Central Bureau
GOVERNMENT has granted Mbire Rural District Council authority to establish a $38,57 million sugarcane plantation in the district.

A private investor, New Basic Investment, is behind the initiative which is expected to create 177 permanent and 300 contract jobs when fully operational.

In a letter dated May 22 and addressed to the provincial administrator, Mr Cosmas Chiringa, the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Local Government, Public Works and National Housing Mr George Magosvongwe wrote: “We wish to advise that the application to establish a sugarcane plantation and mill in Mbire District was approved by the Honourable Minister of Local Government, Public Works and National Housing in terms of Section 9 (1) (e) of the Communal Lands Act (Chapter 20:04).

“Taking into account that the sugarcane production initiative by New Basic Investment is the first of its nature in Mbire Rural District Council and with generally long payback period, it is imperative that council creates an enabling environment for the investment, especially in the nascent stages of the project.”

Mr Chiringa announced the granting of the authority to commence the project during a meeting held at the local authority’s boardroom at Mashumbi Pools last week.

“We should all embrace the ease-of- doing-business concept. Mbire has the same climatic conditions like Chisumbanje where there is now a thriving ethanol business.

“Since you have now been given the nod to start the project, we should all work together to ensure its success.

“We say no to bureaucracy because the project should have commenced a long time ago.

“We lost a similar project to our Zambian neighbours because of bureaucracy and I am the new dispensation is there to facilitate the easy implementation of projects,” said Mr Chiringa.

He called on the political leadership to be leading players in facilitating projects implementation.

“Politicians should create a conducive environment to all interested business partners than to frustrate their efforts.

“Development partners should not be drawn into your daily political lives.

“There are there to ensure the development of our areas and we should work harmoniously together.

“We want to see a changed Mbire District in the immediate future. The district should benefit from the abundant water resources.

“It is easy to draw water from Zambezi River here in Mbire than any other district in Mashonaland Central Province. We should be forward-looking like our Chinese friends,” he said.

Earlier on, Mbire RDC chief executive officer Mr Claudius Nyahuma Majaya said the council was ready to allocate New Basic Investment 15 000 hectares of land for the project.

“New Basic Investments is expected to inject into the project a total of US$38, 57 million. The project will create 177 permanent jobs and resultant downstream jobs of more than 300 contract workers.

“This will inject US$1 275m of income in the district through wages and salaries per annum.

“In addition, this will enhance social and economic benefits which are consumerate with the Zim-Asset thrust of value addition and beneficiation.”

Under the deal, a total of 200 farmers with surrounding 12 acres small-holder plots are expected to benefit as out-growers.

Mr Majaya said New Basic Investment would provide irrigation infrastructure as well as sugarcane inputs on a contract basis.

“The company intends to construct a mill close to the core farm that will be used to process the sugarcane from both the core farm and surrounding contracted farmers.

“This will also ensure improved payment of development levies by villagers in surrounding wards of two, three, nine, 12 and partly Ward 17.

“This will also ensure the growth of Mushumbi through capacity utilisation of pegged stands, payment of licences and leases by the core farm and the mill.”