The President of Zimbabwe, Emmerson Mnangagwa, has launched an Oxygen plant in Mutare as part of efforts to sustain the country in its fight against Covid19.
Developed by a State-owned firm, Verify Engineering, which is under the Ministry of Higher and Tertiary Education, Innovation, Science and Technology Development, the facility is an Air Separation Unit (ASU) that produces gaseous oxygen, liquid oxygen, and nitrogen. The plant has an installed capacity to ensure daily production of 20 tonnes, 16.5 tonnes, and 2.5 tonnes of gaseous oxygen, liquid oxygen, and nitrogen, respectively.
It is expected that the plant will play an integral part in the production of medicinal oxygen and liquid nitrogen used as coolants to store medicines and vaccines. The launch of the plant ran synonymously with a 3-megawatt solar plant that was designed, engineered, and installed by Verify Engineering at Feruka Oil Refinery.
Speaking about the facility, President Mnangagwa noted that the production of medicinal oxygen will complement government efforts in the fight against Covid-19. He explained that it is enough to ensure that the country becomes self-sufficient and subsequently cut imports.
“Medical health oxygen is one of the world health organization’s 30 essential medicines to fight Covid-19 and we now produce it here in Manicaland under Chief Zimunya,” he said.
