Zim cannot afford a National Ports Authority

Published: 25 April 2014

Government should shelve the idea of establishing a National Ports Authority until it can afford to undertake such a project without straining the country's fiscus, an official said.

Zimbabwe Revenue Authority commissioner general Gershem Pasi said the establishment of a National Ports Authority would be an added expense which Government cannot afford at the moment.

"There have been talks by Government of creating a Ports Authority but it is not necessary at the moment because we will be creating additional expenditure.

"Once you think of creating a ports authority then you want to employ board, administration staff to maintain the ports and you want more money to make them functional," he said.

A port authority is a government or quasi-government public authority formed by a legislative body to operate ports and other transportation infrastructure.

Most port authorities across the world are financially self-sustaining.

Pasi said Zimbabwe's port authority would not be able to support itself for many years after its inception.

Zimbabwe has 15 ports of entry which are being run by Zimra. However, the borders remain porous as travellers are faced with numerous challenges from corrupt officials to numerous clearing agents who cause confusion.

Beitbridge Border Post is the busiest inland port of entry in sub-Saharan Africa which handles more than 3 500 vehicles and 9 000 people crossing daily with the numbers soaring to 20 000 during peak periods.

"Government should instead work on refurbishing Beitbridge border post to make it a one stop border post so that we can have fast movement of goods and people," he added.
- BH24

Tags: Zimra,