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Tadious Manyepo Herald Reporter
ZIMBABWE National Army (ZNA)engineers should be proficient hands-on sappers who are able to work under minimum supervision if they are to flawlessly accomplish given tasks, a senior army officer has said.

Addressing a joint graduation ceremony of 90 students who underwent training in three different combat engineering courses at Pomona Barracks last Friday, Brigadier-General Inspectorate, Brig-Gen Ernest Shamu called on the army sappers to be meticulous when carrying out their work.

He said the Engineers Corps were as pivotal as all other units in the organisation and ought to be professional and dedicated.

Of the 90 graduates, 14 undertook the Zimbabwe Engineer Young Officers’ Course (ZEYO), while 43 trained in the Combat Engineering Class Two (CE II) and the remainder in Combat Engineering Class Three (CE II).

“I am aware that your package was to convert you to be proficient hands-on sappers who are to work under minimum supervision,” said Brig-Gen Shamu.

“Let me hasten to remind you that you will be required to render professional advice and support to operational commanders on combat engineering matters.”

Brig-Gen Shamu said the army engineers should be versatile and innovative when carrying out their work.

“If you find yourselves in the challenging situations, use your initiatives and improvise as taught,” he said.

“Always ask for assistance or advice when faced with challenges. I also urge you to learn from your seasoned colleagues who qualified before you and work tirelessly to uphold the image of the corps.”

Brig-Gen Shamu advised the engineers to be persistent in their quest to be perfect.

Whilst congratulating them for pulling through the taxing courses, Brig-Gen Shamu challenged the engineers to continue enrolling for upgrading training.

“You should continue perfecting your performance in the field, as well as maintaining standards that have been set by your predecessors,” he said.

“You should display a high standard of aptitude, loyalty and dedication to your duty. May I emphasise the need for you to remain disciplined.”