Construction industry frets over power cuts

THE Zimbabwe Building Contractors Association (ZBCA) says power supply shortages being experienced in the country have hindered the construction industry’s progress in making raw materials for the production and export market.

ZBCA president, Tinashe Manzungu told The Financial Gazette that while the industry players want to make materials for the export market, the power supply shortages have made it hard for local companies to operate their machines to value add the materials.

ZBCA president, Tinashe Manzungu

“We have not been able to operate efficiently because of power supply shortages within the country,” Manzungu said.

“In terms of imports, we have also taken a stance not to import everything that we use in the construction industry. For example, IBR, roofing sheets, the issues with our brick moulding plants, and so forth, are different other materials that we use in the building industry.”

Zimbabwe has been grappling with electricity shortages, relying on imports to bridge the gap. This is attributed to water scarcity, outdated infrastructure, low tariffs, inadequate maintenance, foreign currency constraints, and legacy debt.

Manzungu noted that with production affected by the power supply, production service will point to 30 to 40 percent capacity within the institution meaning they will not be able to feed the market.