Zimbabwe: Govt Acquires 131 Power Generators

Source from:  The Herald (Harare) 18 September 2007 09/19/2007

GOVERNMENT has acquired 131 power generators to mitigate the effects of power cuts on tobacco processing, milk and horticulture production. Some of the generators have already been delivered to Tanaka Power, a local company that is facilitating the acquisition of the generators from France. The programme is being funded by the Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe. Agricultural Mechanisation, Engineering and Irrigation Minister Cde Joseph Made yesterday toured Tanaka Power to inspect part of the consignment. He said the facility was meant for tobacco and dairy farmers as well as those engaged in horticulture. "The issue of power cuts is not unique to Zimbabwe, it is a problem the world over. The generators will go a long way in averting some of the problems created by power cuts. "The facility is mainly meant for tobacco farmers who need uninterrupted power supplies when watering and curing their crop. We also want to cater for dairy farmers and those in horticulture whose products are perishable," he said. Cde Made said the biggest challenge was securing diesel for the generators. He added that his ministry required 191 million litres of diesel for the next 12 months. Cde Made said he had already communicated with the Minister of Energy and Power Development on their fuel requirements. Earlier in the day, Cde Made met the British Ambassador to Zimbabwe, Mr Andrew Pocock. "We have several Land-Rover and Ford vehicles at the Veterinary Services and other agriculture departments. We want to engage British companies that will supply us with spare parts for the vehicles. "We have made arrangements that we meet the company's agents in South Africa as we are starting our rehabilitation programme," he said. Tanaka Power managing director Mr Stewart Kwaramba said they mooted the idea of power generators and presented it to the RBZ who provided the finance. "We noticed that a lot of tobacco was being lost in the barns during the curing process due to frequent power cuts so we decided to import generators that will be on standby. "The programme will also be extended to dairy farmers and those engaged in horticulture as their work is heavily affected by power cuts," he said. He said that his company would continue with the programme if more funds were made available, adding that they would consider extending the programme to other sectors whose operations were susceptible to power cuts. Enditem