The government says the US$800 000 Bingwa Wildlife EcoTourism Innovation and Industrialisation Centre, a major initiative that is expected to support wildlife conservation in Zimbabwe, is expected to be completed by May 31.
The centre, funded by the Higher and Tertiary Education, Innovation, Science and Technology Development ministry, is expected to transform the leather sector in Matabeleland North province and beyond, creating jobs and building experts across the entire value chain.
Speaking after touring the facility, Higher and Tertiary Education minister Frederick Shava said he was impressed by the vision and sheer determination that went into the Bingwa project.
“This was a project carved out of a wildlife area 10km from the nearest power with no roads and no water,” he said.
Shava applauded Lupane University for overcoming obstacles from using a tractor to constructing a road while at the same time moving materials to erect wooden cabins for staff protection against wildlife as a textbook example of problem-solving under pressure.
“The completion date of the project is May 31 and everyone must see a clear plan for the immediate operationalisation of the facility, and this includes the management structure, staffing, marketing strategy and pricing models,” he said.
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Shava said the structures destroyed by heavy rains required post rain-maintenance, saying that highlighted a critical lesson that infrastructure requires constant care.
”The success of this park is intertwined with the local community,” he said.
Shava said the community was instrumental in guiding the people involved in the Bingwa project through wildlife areas, adding that the project must look at how SMEs could be part of the supply chain, providing fresh produce, arts and crafts to tourists.
“I am particularly pleased to note the tangible progress of the Technovation Centre building,” he said, adding that seeing the contractor on site and the foundation works at 24% of completion was encouraging.
“The Dryland Agro Innovation and Industrialisation Park continues to impress,” he said.
Shava said growth in the number of goats to 458 and the vision for an out-grower scheme, abattoir and tannery was the value chain that was needed for the project.
“The commencement of construction of the Bubi Lupane Dam Resort and Waterfront Conference Centre is a monumental step,” he said.
Shava said the resort had the potential to become a premier destination, significantly diversifying the Lupane University income and putting Lupane on the regional tourism map.