FLAMBOYANT businessman Mr Wicknell Chivayo whose company
was in 2015 awarded a tender and paid US$5 million by the Zimbabwe Power
Company (ZPC) for pre-commencement work at the 100 megawatt Gwanda solar power
plant, yesterday came off his high horse and admitted his wrongdoing.
Mr Chivayo, who owns Intratek Zimbabwe, yesterday took to
his micro-blogging site, Twitter page and apologised for failing to deliver.
“I accept full responsibility for all my wrong doing and if
you thought I was perfect I apologise for being human,” he tweeted much to the
chagrin of his followers who were quick to lash back at him.
Chivayo is known for flaunting his riches and scorning
people who he says do not have money on social media.
A majority of his followers felt the apology was not enough
while others seemed to think it was sarcastic.
They demanded that he pays back the money.
“This is not your personal pet project, your apologies mean
jack (Sic) . . . it’s a national initiative which requires the seriousness it
deserves . . . just payback and we find someone (company) who is competent,”
said @sirosnaire.
Another follower @PrinsNathan retorted: “You are not
perfect sir but then do what’s right, pay back the money since you did not
deliver the services that you have been paid for.”
@NellsNelson tweeted: “Ah but u still have to go to
prison.”
@JusticeMabuwa wrote: “But vaChivayo, the US$3,3 million
was for a feasibility study chete? Varumeka ngatisadaro so, hona nyika yese
irikungochema nekushaya magetsi (Let’s not do that, the whole nation is crying
because we don’t have electricity). Just complete the job man.”
@NdiTarwanda quizzed: “Best apology is changed behaviour or
in this case paying back the money?”
@Tendayee said: “You are human we all are, just pay back
the money tiwane magetsi (so that we get electricity) simple.”
@TinasheBvute responded: “It’s either you pay back the
money or there should be repercussions, simple! You can’t hold the whole nation
hostage (sic) by prejudicing Zesa.”
@ realmedicaldoc said: “I know you have more money than me,
but, I humbly request that you finish the Gwanda solar project if it’s within
your means, the cries of most Zimbabweans won’t help you at all, we feel you
might have abused the facility.”
Energy and Power Development Minister Advocate Fortune
Chasi during his visit to the Gwanda solar power plant site last week, said the
Government has suffered a potential revenue loss of about US$50 million as a
result of the non-completion of the project, which was supposed to have been
commissioned by December 2017.
He said the delays in implementing the project had resulted
in the loss of sales by Zesa equivalent to 500GWhs (Gigawatt-hours) and
potential revenue loss of about US$50 million as of June this year.
Mr Chivayo was awarded the tender in 2015 and paid US$5
million by ZPC for pre-commencement work at the 100 megawatt Gwanda solar power
plant.
After receiving the money without a bank guarantee, no
meaningful development has taken place at the site.
Adv Chasi expressed disappointment as no work has been done
at the site despite the $5 million
payment that was made to Intratek.
He said the solar project was a crucial initiative that
would address electricity challenges the country is facing.
Adv Chasi said the Government was going to engage Intratek
as they expected a refund or to see an operational solar plant. Chronicle
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