Treger Products (Pvt) Ltd through the Monarch Steel Division, has renovated Famona Fire Station as an appreciation gesture for the services provided by the city fire and ambulance department.
The company, in 2021, almost lost a fortune in the form of property after a fire broke out at its industrial plant in Thorngrove.
The fire brigade responded quickly to put out the raging inferno.
Treger Products, in conjunction with other companies they work with, rehabilitated four kitchens at the Famona Fire Station by tiling, painting and furnishing the dining areas at the premises. Part of the furniture donated included electric stoves, cupboards, pots, and dining tables.
Speaking at the handover ceremony, Treger Products Group Marketing Director, Sithokozile Ndlovu said their company was grateful for the services provided by the city fire department.
“We are grateful to the fire brigade team at Famona for saving millions of dollars of investments at Monarch. When they came, we were not sure if they would be able to save the equipment on our factory along Khami road but they did. In a short space of time they managed to save our diesel tank and equipment,” Ndlovu said.
“We sat down as directors and we decided to do something for the firefighters which would be a motivator for the staff that are doing such a tremendous job. We decided to look after their welfare, hence we renovated their kitchens around the premises.”
Acting Bulawayo Mayor, Councillor Mlandu Ncube, said such gestures are not common to the local authority where people give back as appreciation of services rendered.
“We are very grateful to have support for the work that we do. We have been having support from abroad for the fire brigade but you have set the pace for us. We salute you Monarch for the kind gesture,” he said.
Cllr Ncube further commended the fire brigade for the job well done.
“Remember we are in a city where jobs are scarce. If you had failed to save this industrial giant, so many people would have been out of jobs now and that would have affected our city negatively.”
Chamber Secretary Sikhangele Zhou said the gesture by Treger products is a thoughtful one as the firefighters spend their entire shifts within the premises.
“Our staff members, because of the nature of their work, do not have the luxury of going out to eateries to enjoy their lunch breaks. They spend all their time here. A fire can break out anytime so they must always be ready,” she said.
“Having such a conducive environment is quite appreciated. We shall be good stewards of the property you have given us and we will take good care of it. We are very grateful.”
