Story by Kenias Chivuzhe
THE setting up of a Gemmology Centre in Manicaland is progressing well with US$17 million now required to complete the mega project.
The construction of the centre will see diamond cutting and polishing being done in Manicaland.
The Secretary for Provincial Affairs and Devolution, Mr Edigers Seenza led a government delegation during the tour of the facility, whose construction is on course.
“We want to appreciate the funds that we received from the government for phase 1 A of the project where boreholes were drilled and water reticulated in order to enable works to take place. At the same time, a perimeter wall was also done including the gate to the gemmology centre. The department of public works is ready to embark on phase one B which includes the construction of the administration block as well as the access internal roads. We are looking forward to receiving an equivalent of US$17 million to enable the works to be completed. We are aware that the school of mines is making frantic efforts to secure funding from treasury,” he said.
There is optimism that the gemmology centre will significantly boost the local Gross Domestic Product (GDP).
“We hope the construction of this gemmology centre will result in the diamonds being cut and polished in Manicaland. We are hoping that the completion of the centre will ensure the whole value chain will be done in the province. That will have a very positive impact on the GDP of Manicaland and on the employment level. This will ensure the people of Manicaland benefit from the resources being mined in the province,” noted Mr Munyaradzi Rubaya, Director in the Office of the Minister of State for Provincial Affairs and Devolution.
The development is in line with the government thrust on valued addition and beneficiation that has seen a number of minerals recently being prohibited from being exported in their raw form.
