Remember Deketeke
Herald Correspondent
SHUNTAI Investments’ cement plant, which is expected to be produce more than 800 000 tonnes of cement annually, is now 55 percent complete, with the project expected to be fully commissioned within the next six months.
The multimillion-dollar project, built with advanced and environmentally friendly technology, is poised to boost local cement production, create jobs, stabilise prices and reduce Zimbabwe’s reliance on imports while promoting sustainable industrial growth.
Shuntai Investments administration manager, Mr Yan Bo, said the project had reached a critical stage, with major equipment already delivered, while installation works are underway.
“At this moment, we are about 55 percent of the overall completion of this project,” he said.
“The cement plant will be producing 800 000 million tons per year. As we can see, all the main equipment has been delivered, more than 65 percent is on site. We are now setting up the power lines.
“This is a high-level and fully integrated technology plant. We make sure the plant will not cause any damage to the environment. It is designed to benefit the community while protecting natural resources.
“The project will help reduce dependence on cement imports, stabilise prices, and ensure consistent supply to the market. It will also contribute to infrastructure development across the country.”
He said that over US$80 million has already been invested in the plant, with a total investment expected to exceed US$120 million by the time of completion.
“We have invested more than $80 million. By the time of completion, we should have invested more than US$120 million,” he said.
“We are expecting the project to be completed within the next six months. We are now moving at full speed towards completion because the court case delayed us for some time.”
Over 300 locals from Chegutu are already employed at the firm, with more expected to be hired upon completion.
“We are installing technologically-advanced machines and making use of locally available resources, so this means we are going to have minimum production cost, which translates to reduced retail price of a bag of cement,” he said.
“So far, we have already employed 300 local youths from Chegutu, and across all our operations, we are looking at about 4000 people in total. For the Chegutu plant, we have set up January of next year as our completion target.”
Mr Yan said the company had already introduced several green initiatives at the site, including electric vehicles and loaders to reduce emissions.
“From the gate, you can see electric cars and loaders that will be used inside the plant,” he said.
“These are part of our efforts to protect the environment and avoid the pollution associated with diesel engines.”
Mr Henry Madovi from Sany Equipment Zimbabwe called for companies to start thinking of protecting the environment.
“The equipment that you are using at the cement plant is electric-driven. What it means is we are currently taking the lead to protect our environment by bringing in this electric-powered equipment,” he said.
“As Zimbabwe industrialises, there is a need to start thinking of ways to educate our investors on the benefits of eco-friendly trucks.”
One of the employees at the site, Mr Austin Kadzinga, said the project has transformed lives in Chegutu by creating jobs and boosting local incomes.
“I started working here in February last year, and I can now afford a better living,” he said.
“It is not just me, many people from Chegutu are now employed, and the town itself is expanding into an economic hub.”
Another worker, Mr Shadreck Mutemba, said he had witnessed the project’s growth from humble beginnings to a major industrial site.
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