Businessman Wicknell Chivhayo has responded to concerns raised by Nyanga South MP Supa Mandiwanzira regarding the stalled 30MW Gairezi Hydro Power Project, saying the delays were caused by financing challenges rather than mismanagement or misuse of funds.
Chivhayo acknowledged the frustration within the local community, particularly over employment opportunities that were expected to come with the project. He said he shares the disappointment of residents who had hoped the power station would bring economic activity and jobs to the area.
Clarifying his role, Chivhayo said the tender was not awarded to him as an individual but to an international consortium led by India’s state-owned engineering company, Bharat Heavy Electricals Limited (BHEL), working alongside Angelique International. Intratrek Zimbabwe was involved as the local contractor. He explained that the consortium won the bid as the lowest compliant bidder, relying on the technical expertise and financial strength of its international partners, which he described as standard practice for large infrastructure projects across Africa.
According to Chivhayo, the project failed to move forward because it could not reach financial closure. He said lenders were unwilling to fund the US$113 million project after assessing that a 30MW plant would not generate sufficient returns or cash flows to justify the investment. He added that government later shifted focus to higher-capacity power projects, such as Hwange Units 7 and 8, which added 600MW to the national grid, resulting in the Gairezi project being placed on hold.
Chivhayo also dismissed claims that funds were ever disbursed for the Gairezi project, insisting that no payments were made. He expressed hope that the government may revisit the project in the future under a more viable funding and investment structure.
