Katete District Commissioner has disclosed that the date for commissioning of the much anticipated Eastern Tropical Fruit processing plant has not yet been set despite the factory being ready for commissioning.
Katete District Commissioner – DC – Malan Zimba exclusively told the Zambian Business Times – ZBT – in an interview that the plant which is expected to employee about 300 workers was set with about 40 people so far employed.
The K160 million, Industrial Development Cooperation (IDC)’s Eastern Tropical Fruit processing plant in Katete District of Eastern Province was set for commissioning in October 2020 and later postponed to May 2021, due to delays in the arrival of factory equipment as well as the COVID-19 restrictions that were instituted in various countries. The plant was latter set for commissioning in the third quarter of 2022 and since then no clear explanation has been made towards the same.
Efforts to however get a comment from the Industrial Development Cooperation IDC on why the commissioning has delayed proved futile by press time.
When asked why the plant has delayed to be commissioned despite all works being completed, Zimba said, “I think the only challenge had been logistical challenges and the IDC concentrated much on the Mwinilunga plant as they wanted it to be on a full scale operation before they could concentrate on the one in katete.” The DC assured that the plant will be commissioned soon.
The fruit process plant is a Public-Private Partnership (PPP) between governments through the IDC with 70 percent shares while Vitaplus Foods Limited, a Zambian company holds 30 percent shares.
Zimba said once operational, the Eastern Fruit processing plant is expected to improve the economy of Katete District of Eastern Province as the farmers will also be empowered and will no longer be waiting for the rain season to grow fruits and other things they can supply to the plant adding that this will indeed bring a lot of revenue to the district.
Zimbia added that over 300 people are likely to be employed a situation he said will reduce the high number of unemployment in the District.
