Zimbabwe: Glass Plant Construction Hampered

THE construction of a US$ 120 million state of the art glass manufacturing plant in the city of Kadoma is being hampered by a critical shortage of water and the current power cuts.

In the year 2002 the city approached a Chinese glass-manufacturing firm with the idea of setting up a glass manufacturing plant in the mining city. However, the deal was finally sealed in the 2005. Council allocated the Chinese firm a 6,5 hectares piece of land for the construction of the plant set to be one of the biggest glass manufacturing plants when completed.

The city´s outgoing executive mayor, Fannie Phiri told the Zimbabwe Guardian in the city last week that the project which was set to be completed last year is facing numerous problems, chief among them being the current water shortages experiencing the city as well as the power cuts.

"Initially the project was supposed to have been completed last year in August, but the current water shortages and power outages have seriously affected progress of the project," said Phiri. Apart from the water shortages and power cuts, Phiri said the shortage of raw materials such as cement has also affected construction of the plant.

The outgoing executive Mayor said that raw materials needed in the manufacturing of the glass such as sand and coal have already been identified in nearby areas such as Sanyati and Gokwe.

"We have already identified coal deposits in Gokwe´s Sengwa area. A special type of sand has also been identified in nearby areas. We have agreed also with the Chinese that the local people should be given first priority when it comes to employment," said Phiri.