The construction of a US $120M state-of-the-art glass manufacturing plant in the city of Kadoma is being hampered by critical shortages of water & power. In 2002, the city approached a Chinese glass manufacturing firm with the idea of setting up a plant in the mining city. However, it took until 2005 to sign the deal. The council allocated the Chinese firm a 6.5 hectare site for the plant. The city's outgoing executive mayor, Fannie Phiri told the Zimbabwe Guardian in the second week of May 2008 that the project, which was set to be completed 2007, is facing numerous problems, chiefly, water shortages & power cuts. "Initially the project was supposed to have been completed Aug/07, but the current water shortages and power outages have seriously affected progress of the project", said Ms. Phiri. Apart from the water shortages and power cuts, Ms. Phiri said the shortage of raw materials such as cement has also affected construction of the plant. The outgoing executive Mayor said that raw materials needed in the manufacturing of the glass such as sand and coal have already been identified in nearby areas such as Sanyati and Gokwe. "We have already identified coal deposits in Gokwe's Sengwa area. A special type of sand has also been identified in nearby areas. We have agreed also with the Chinese that the local people should be given first priority when it comes to employment", said Ms. Phiri.
