Zimpapers Logo

Leonard Ncube in Victoria Falls
KUSILE Rural District Council (KRDC) in Matabeleland North Province plans to expand its timber logging industry in 2018 so as to increase its revenue base, chief executive officer, Mr Christopher Tshuma, has said.

In an interview, Mr Tshuma said the local authority expects to finance its projects from revenue generated from sale of timber, which is the main economic activity in Lupane.

He said KRDC is planning to carry out further research on its timber reserves to establish sustainability and contribution to the district.

“Timber has proven to be a good source of revenue yet we have been trivialising it. We believe we have timber that can last us 15 years but we need to carry out more research to expand our logging plantations,” he said.

Mr Tshuma said the council had presented a budget proposal of more than $1 million for 2018, with the main focus on road construction hence the need for a sustainable source of revenue. He said the local authority had already purchased two chain saws as it seeks to expand its business. Timber logging is done at Shabula and Tshongogwe forests. The local authority seeks to open new reserves.

“Timber is doing well. We have been trivialising it as we used to sell at $33 per cubic metre. We realised that things have gone up and demand is high as people are still coming to get timber hence we are now selling at $40 per cubic metre,” Mr Tshuma added. He said the local authority also uses timber to construct schools.

A few months ago the local authority engaged a Chinese firm Fazhao Investments to harvest and process timber in the area. Fazhao Investments was in the process of setting up a sawmill plant in Jotsholo near Tshongogwe concession. KRDC has a monthly quota to harvest 400 cubic metres from the Forestry Commission. — @ncubeleon.