Boost for SMEs
NYASHA KUNYISWA
Small to Medium Enterprises (SMES) will be prioritised in the supply of raw materials for the construction of the Museum of African Liberation in Harare, project promoters have said.
Construction works of the museum, which started last week in the capital, opposite Warren Park 1 high density suburb, and near the National Sports Stadium, is being spearheaded by the Institute of African Knowledge (INSTAK).
It’s a continental project meant to document, preserve, protect and promote the continent’s liberation legacy.
INSTAK head of Secretariat, Ambassador Kwame Muzawazi told Business Times on the sidelines of a tour of the museum by the National Peace Reconciliation Commission this week, that local SMEs will be preferred to supply materials to construct the museum.
“We are going to use local materials in the construction of the liberation city to promote SMEs. We have a lot of SMEs around this area. It is very important to purchase every building material from them,” Muzawazi said.
“We have engaged different contractors from around the world to build the museum. But, we are going to buy building materials from SMEs in nearby areas such as Kuwadzana, Dzivaresekwa, Mbare, Mufakose among other places.”
He said African countries will bring all the arms and ammunition that were used in colonial and pre-colonial periods in the museum.
“The contractors will operate 24 hours a day with over 1000 people working on the site and this will benefit the youths.
“The operation is expected to be completed within 13 months.”
Meanwhile NRPC spokesperson Obert Gutu said the liberation city will also help students at university studying archaeology and African history.
