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Statement on the awarding of 5% mandatory blending licence to Green Fuel
Platform for Youth Development
August 12, 2013

Platform for Youth Development Trust (PYD) joins the nation in welcoming and applauding the eventual awarding of mandatory blending licence to Green Fuels Pvt Ltd.

Having been central to this development, PYD is convinced that the mandatory blending licence will go a long way in improving relations between the investor and the local community in Chisumbanje. Green Fuel and partners have been assuring us through government initiated engagements that started in January this year, that they are going to be supportive of the local community through corporate social responsibility.

As Platform for Youth Development we are fully cognisant of our mandate to fully represent the people of Chisumbanje in their quest to benefit from this national project. PYD also want to take this opportunity to appeal to the investor to be honest during implementation of the promises made. The promise for co-existence was pledged to the community through government representatives. For the avoidance of doubt, the investor and the community representatives through the District Ethanol Plant Implementation Committee has agreed on the following issues:

1. That the Investor would be able to finalise on the compensation processes. The cabinet appointed Inter Ministerial committee, chaired by Prof A.G.O Mutambara had recommended that those villagers whose crops were damaged or whose land was eaten by the project are paid amounts commensurate with the damages suffered. While some were paid, the process was still incomplete. This was understood since the plant was closed and there was no production

2. That the Investor will ensure that 75% of the employees at the Ethanol Plant be from the local community. This percentage refers to Chipinge district

3. That the Investor and the local community work on an agreeable formula for Corporate Social Responsibility(CSR)

4. That the investor will help facilitate the process of Auditing, auditing will be done to assess those who received 0,5 hectares and those who received money for crop damage

Green Fuel and partners were issued with the mandatory blending licence by the regulating authority Zimbabwe Energy Regulatory Authority. The awarding of this licence had been controversial due to the politicisation of the project due to the personalities and policy clashes experienced by the Government of National Unity.

PYD is hopeful that the full operation of the plant will improve on the business opportunities in Chipinge district and the nation at large, where the young people are expected to be the biggest beneficiaries. Platform for Youth Development will not hesitate to be disruptive through massive demonstrations and sabotage, should the investor renege on these promises.

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