Published by the government of Zimbabwe
Fortious Nhambura
22 June 2009
Harare — The Scientific Industrial Research Development Centre requires about US$4,5 million to resuscitate its operations that where severely affected by the changeover from the use of local currency to multiple currencies.
In an interview on the sidelines of the Parliamentary Portfolio Committee on Higher Education, Science and Technology and that of Industry and Commerce last Thursday, Sirdc executive officer Dr Robson Mafoti said a number of scientific programmes have been stalled by lack of funds.
"The company had asked for US$4,5 million from Government to jumpstart our operations but was only allocated US$520 000 by the national treasury under the revised budget.
"Unfortunately, we are still to get the money and we are surviving through consultancy offered to other companies and organisations trying to improve their production cycles and processes," he said.
Dr Mafoti said the company tried, but in vain, to get partnership for the commercialisation of the grinding mill and dehauller projects, a small-scale incubator and the drought resistant maize seed among other scientific concepts.
"We are still looking for partnership for the projects that have been on the shelf for sometime now owing to lack of funds," he said.
The company had secured US$200 000 loan from a local commercial bank as seed money to resuscitate production of tiles and electronic equipment for the South Africa market.
The money, he said, had helped them to commence operations and hope the situation would improve.
Member of Parliament for Bulilima East and chairman of the Higher Education, Science and Technology Mr Norman Mpofu urged Government to put more resources to the such national units as Sirdc as they play an important in the development of the country.
"We urge Government to prioritise resources to institutions like Sirdc or their parent Ministries in budgetary allocations as they are critical in the country's development," he said.
Dr Mafoti expressed confidence that the Inclusive Government would help unlock more resources for scientific research and development in Zimbabwe.
The portfolio committees were on a mission to familiarise themselves with the operation of the national research institution.
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