The Sunday News
Judith Phiri, Business Reporter
THE Hwange Local Board (HLB) is set to sign a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Zimbabwe Power Company (ZPC) that will see the construction of more than 500 houses in Empumalanga suburb.
ZPC is a subsidiary of the Zimbabwe Electricity Supply Authority (Zesa) Holdings, a State-owned company whose task is to generate, transmit, and distribute electricity in the country.
According to the local authority’s latest newsletter, HLB town secretary Pastor Ndumiso Mdlalose said the local authority was prepared to play its part in the construction of houses to accommodate ZPC’s workforce, which is being relocated from Ingagula suburb.
Ingagula exposed to pollution due to its proximity to Hwange Thermal Power Station.
“Our position with regards to the ZPC housing project has not changed.
We are aware of the importance of this project, that’s why we didn’t hesitate to allocate them land.
We are committed to see this project through because it means a lot to the community and the country as a whole.
We are also ready to play our role as a local authority,” he said.
HLB is expected to oversee approval of plans as well as legal compliance issues.
ZPC has set sight at expediting signing of MoUs with parties to be involved in the development of the new settlement.
ZPC project executive Engineer Fanuel Mavhondo said it was of paramount importance to kick-start preparations for the development of houses and social amenities as soon as possible, so as to beat the deadline for the commissioning of Hwange Thermal Power Station expansion project.
“We cannot sit and see this infrastructure worth US$1,5 billion lying idle because we do not have a place to settle those that will be operating there. We need to ensure that ZPC concludes Memorandum of Agreements with the local authority (HLB) and Zimbabwe National Water Authority (Zinwa,” said Eng Mavhondo.
He said Zesa Enterprises (ZENT) was coming to assist in the construction of the houses on behalf of ZPC.
ZENT is a wholly-owned subsidiary of ZESA Holdings, which provides engineering solutions to the electricity sector through four operating divisions, namely manufacturing, projects, transport and retail.
Eng Mavhondo further hinted that the Hwange Power Station expansion project was 72 percent complete with Unit 7 expected to be operational in October 2022.
“Commissioning of Unit 7 is expected to take place three months prior to the commercial operation date and by then operations and maintenance staff housing will be required,” he said.
