Government has been urged to establish a diamond centre in Manicaland province that would add value to the gems and provide training for local people. Manicaland Provincial Governor and Resident Minister Chris Mushohwe made the call in an interview yesterday.

"What would be the purpose of putting a one-stop diamond centre in Harare or Bulawayo yet the diamonds are mined in Manicaland?" queried Mushohwe.

"We have a lot of people who were displaced because of the diamond-mining activities, and they should be the first to benefit, not other towns."

His call comes after the establishment of the Zimbabwe Diamond Education College in Harare that trains in rough diamond evaluation, grading, cutting and polishing, laser cutting and other skill courses.

Governor Mushohwe said people from his province should be the first beneficiaries of the diamonds.