An inter-ministerial team chaired by Deputy Prime Minister Arthur Mutambara produced a document which highlighted problems at the project that had resulted in the stoppage of production at the ethanol-producing plant.
“PYD… wish to advise the inter-ministerial team to ensure these Cabinet-approved recommendations are fully implemented for the benefit of the community. We are aware of many reports that have been approved at Cabinet level but are gathering dust whilst beneficiaries continue to suffer,” reads a statement from PYD, a non-partisan organization that articulates issues affecting youths in Zimbabwe.
The inter-ministerial team recommended that displaced or mishandled households must be compensated and resettled. Chipinge Rural District Council was also advised to regularize all land acquisitions covered by the project in accordance with the law by completing the appropriate lease agreement with Arda immediately.
PYD condemned Green Fuel for giving some of the affected community members who lost their plots and livestock 10kgs of maize meal and $50 as compensation.
“As far as we are concerned, this is a non-event because proper compensation is a professional process with a framework where we are expecting to be involved as a stakeholder,” stated PYD.
Hundreds of communal farmers lost their land when Zanu (PF) big wigs took over the land to pave way for the Green Fuel project in the area.
In 2009, business mogul, Billy Rautenbach, reported to enjoy strong links with influential Zanu (PF) members, was given the right to take over 5,100 hectares of land at ARDA's Chisumbanje Estate to grow sugarcane which would be used in the production of ethanol for fuel blending. Additional land was taken from nearby communal farmers.
Despite the ethanol project being viewed as a solution to the country’s fuel problems, the venture has failed to live up to its billing, with millions of litres of ethanol so far produced failing to find buyers.
Post published in: News