Story by Gay Matambo
Government has pledged continued support for high-impact economic projects aimed at driving industrialisation and job creation, as Vice President General (Rtd) Dr Constantino Chiwenga toured Verify Engineering in Feruka this Wednesday.
The visit formed part of an ongoing nationwide assessment of strategic projects, with authorities placing emphasis on value addition of natural resources to benefit local communities.
Addressing stakeholders, Vice President Chiwenga commended the company’s progress since the commissioning of its plant by President Emmerson Mnangagwa, noting its role in producing key industrial and medical gases.
“We are excited and delighted to see the progress Verify Engineering has achieved since the commissioning of the plant by His Excellency, the President, Dr Emmerson Mnangagwa. They are now producing major gases: oxygen, nitrogen, and acetylene. The company has requested government support for the establishment of depots across the country. We will start with Harare and Bulawayo. Harare is already 60 percent complete, and we want it finalised quickly. Once these two depots are operational, they will serve as a model for other provincial cities, enabling coverage nationwide. Another priority is to ensure oxygen tanks are fitted in all major hospitals, with government purchasing directly from Verify Engineering. The progress we have seen is very encouraging,” he said.
The expansion drive is expected to strengthen supply chains for medical oxygen and other gases, particularly in the health sector.
Verify Engineering Chief Executive Officer, Engineer Pedzi Tapfumaneyi, said the company is working to meet growing demand, although distribution infrastructure remains limited.
“The market has responded since the commissioning and it is up to us to keep on developing our market because of the distribution infrastructure that we have. It is limited and I am glad that the Vice President has noticed our efforts and pledged support for major depots,” he said.
Verify Engineering gained prominence for contributing to national self-sufficiency in medical oxygen, particularly during the COVID-19 pandemic, following the establishment of its high-purity oxygen production plant in Mutare.
Authorities say supporting such projects is key to strengthening local industry while improving access to critical resources across the country.
