ZPC,Hesco to construct 600 houses for workers in Hwange
Staff writer
HWANGE – Zimbabwe Power Company (ZPC) and Hwange Electricity Supply Company (Hesco) are set to construct about 600 houses at Empumalanga Phase 7, one of the biggest housing projects in Hwange.
Hwange Local Board (HLB) Town Secretary Pastor Ndumiso Mdlalose said the two power companies have stepped up efforts to construct houses in an area allocated to them by Hwange Local Board.
“ZPC is expected to relocate its entire Ingagula suburb, which has approximately 500 households, whose location falls foul of the usual wind direction, leaving the suburb at the risk of dangerous emissions coming from the power generation process. The power utility is looking forward to start construction of the houses this year”, said Pastor Mdlalose.
Hesco is jointly owned by ZPC and Sinohydro Corporation of China as an implementing Special Purpose Vehicle for the Hwange Thermal Power Station expansion project.
Other entities, which were allocated residential stands in Empumalanga Phase 7 are FBC Bank, Zambezi Gas, South Mining Private Ltd and OK Zimbabwe. Initially an agreement had been reached by all beneficiaries to contribute towards servicing of all the stands but the two power utilities decided to pull-out of the arrangement due to lack of commitment by other parties.
Pastor Mdlalose said the local authority was leaving no stone unturned in its efforts to ensure the success of the housing project.
“We are quite aware of the importance of this particular project and we are partnering these two companies in making sure it is completed, possibly with less hitches or none. Where we are required or mandated to action we will do so. Our commitment to having this project taking off is unquestionable,” he said.
HLB has already engaged a company to construct an access road into the area designated for the housing project.
“The contractor’s scope includes various roads managed by HLB. However, the two kilometre road from the existing Phase 3 road to the ZPC/Hesco stands will be given priority in light of the urgency of the housing development project,” said HLB town engineer Philip Nguni.
On its end ZPC has engaged the Zimbabwe National Water Authority to set-up a pipeline as well as to construct a reservoir for the supply of water at the new settlement.
