ZCDC commits to communities

Abel Zhakata Mutare Bureau
Zimbabwe Consolidated Diamond Company (ZCDC) is embarking on a robust social responsibility drive to allow communities to benefit meaningfully from mining operations in Chiadzwa and Chimanimani, the company’s board chairman has said.

Engineer Killian Ukama said this at Mutare Farm Prison last Friday while handing over an assortment of goods donated by the company to inmates.

He said ZCDC was alive to the fact that local communities and the country at large must benefit from its activities in Marange.

The company donated 400 blankets, wheelchairs and a litany of other toiletries that were lacking at the penitentiary.

“ZCDC is a company that is mining diamonds in Marange and Chimanimani. This company, because it operates in this country, it becomes a citizen of this country. Thus by being a citizen ZCDC must help communities and the Government. It is our obligation to better the lives of those in need, the underprivileged.

“We are not doing this because someone came begging, but we have an obligation to do so,” he said.

“Our social responsibility programme comes in three phases. The first phase caters for our immediate communities such as Marange and Chimanimani villagers. The second phase will target our neighbours like the City of Mutare and other areas that fall under Manicaland province. The third phase is catered for under the dividends that we pay to Government after mining and selling the product. The Government will then use that money to develop the nation.”

Eng Ukama said ZCDC had done many projects in Marange, which included rebuilding schools, clinics, rehabilitating roads and borehole sinking.

He said more was in the pipeline to ensure that villagers felt the company’s presence through social intervention.

“Those who come from Marange will testify to the great projects ZCDC has carried out there. Before we came to Mutare Farm Prison we went to Sakubva Musika. We want to renovate that market place and ensure that our informal traders operate from clean workstations,” he added.

Eng Ukama said the donation to the prison inmates was facilitated by Minister of State for Manicaland Provincial Affairs Monica Mutsvangwa.

“We had a discussion with the Resident Minister Cde Mutsvangwa and top prison officers who advised us of the dire conditions at the prison and items the inmates badly required during this cold weather. They requested for blankets, medication, toiletries and sanitary pads for female prisoners.”

Eng Ukama said the continued growth of ZCDC meant that the company would also increase its budget towards social responsibility programmes.

ZCDC chief executive officer, Dr Moris Mpofu, thanked the new board of directors for giving impetus to the company’s social responsibility drive.