GOVERNMENT has moved to acquire up to 1 000 buses to
strengthen Zupco’s fleet, with a long-term plan of increasing the fleet to over
3 000 buses as part of efforts to boost urban transport systems.
Already, 39 buses have arrived under this programme, with
500 more expected from Belarus, 200 from South Africa and 100 from China.
Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services Minister
Monica Mutsvangwa said this on Tuesday during a post-Cabinet Press briefing.
“Cabinet approved measures to revitalise and partially
privatise Zupco as presented by the Minister of Finance and Economic
Development,” said Minister Mutsvangwa.
“More specifically, Cabinet agreed as follows; that
Government continues to anchor and underwrite the drive to recapitalise Zupco,
including through the engagement of a strategic partner; and that, to
facilitate the success of the envisaged rapid bus transportation system, local
authorities be supported in the construction and development of accessory
infrastructure such as bus termini, bays and access lanes.”
The resuscitation of Zupco through partial privatisation is
in tandem with the Transitional Stabilisation Programme (TSP), which seeks,
among others, to ensure State owned Enterprises (SOEs) are returned to
profitability so that they don’t perennially rely on fiscus for bailouts.
Finance Minister Professor Mthuli Ncube told journalists
while responding to questions that negotiations for the coming of the buses are
underway.
“The 500 buses from Belarus; all these are negotiations
still underway. These (buses) are certainly coming on board, just watch this
space and be patient,” said Prof Ncube.
“It’s not just Belarus, we are procuring 100 buses from
China and then 200 buses from South Africa. Our intention in the interim is to
have a target of 1 000 new buses and also try to crowd-in the local suppliers.
“But when Zupco is in full flight when the new partner
comes in, we expect the bus yield to grow to 3 000 and higher.”
Prof Ncube said Government wants to strengthen the
management and governance of Zupco so that the fleet is taken good care of.
Once the buses come, commuters will be relieved as they are
being creamed off by kombis, which hike fares depending on the demand for
transport.
Meanwhile, Government has expressed satisfaction with
recovery efforts relating to Cyclone Idai victims with the World Food Programme
expected to provide food assistance to 15 533 households.
Minister Mutsvangwa said Government was happy with the
continuous honouring of pledges by everyone including the private sector
partners after the devastating Cyclone Idai which claimed the lives of 347
people.
“Cabinet was briefed by the Minister of Lands, Agriculture,
Water, Climate and Rural Settlement on progress in the recovery efforts
pertaining to the cyclone disaster.
“Following the successful opening of all the affected
schools in Chimanimani on Tuesday May 7, 2019, distribution of textbooks and
related stationery donated by well-wishers such as UNICEF was now in progress
throughout the district,” she said.
Minister Mutsvangwa also said Cabinet had noted with
satisfaction that the registration of beneficiaries for relief support has now
been completed in 23 wards in Chipinge district, with the assistance of the
world food programme (WFP). Herald
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