The Sunday News
Dumisani Nsingo, Senior Business Reporter
THE National Railways of Zimbabwe (NRZ) has channelled more than $2 million in two weeks towards procurement of novel coronavirus (Covid-19) material as it moves to protect its workers.
NRZ public relations manager Mr Nyasha Maravanyika said the company procured various materials for use to mitigate against Covid-19 within its workforce and in communities in which it operates in.
“NRZ is committing huge financial resources towards the fight against Covid-19. Over the past two weeks more than $2 million has been used to procure materials needed to slow the spread of the viral pandemic within the organisation’s operations and its various communities,” he said.
The company procured hand sanitisers, latex gloves, detergents, protective clothing and drugs.
“The bulk of the money (more than $1 million) has been used to buy hand sanitizers, liquid soaps, latex gloves and surgical masks. NRZ has also received a donation of 2 000 face masks from one of its major customers, SQNeed Chrome Zimbabwe which mines Chrome Ore in the Midlands province,” said Mr Maravanyika.
The NRZ board chairman, Advocate Martin Dinha, also donated 300 masks to the organisation.
“The acquisition of the materials is part of the on-going organisational exercise to complement the Government’s efforts to control the disease, especially in its communities such as Dete, Rutenga, Rugare, Westgate (Bulawayo), Chiredzi, Triangle and Masvingo, among others.
The Government recently declared Covid-19 a State of National Disaster and this prompted the NRZ to take measures to complement the Government efforts to stop the spread of the disease at the workplace,” said Mr Maravanyika.
NRZ freight operations and health services have been declared essential services during the 21-day national lockdown period, while its passenger services were suspended. – @DNsingo
