…as transporters refuse ZiG payment
By Perpetua Murungweni
Failure by government to transport food aid to vulnerable rural communities has resulted in serious food shortages in those areas as contract transporters are refusing ZiG payment, halting the social welfare food aid distribution.
This was revealed by the Minister of State for Provincial Affairs and Devolution Ezra Chadzamira at a Zanu PF Provincial Coordinating Committee (PCC) meeting held on November 22, 2024 at the party provincial stand in Clovely.
Chadzamira said the government had enough grain for vulnerable households in the province but was failing to deliver the food to respective beneficiaries because of transport challenges.
“Our government is providing food aid with the help from development partners. The food is given in three phases and the first phase was done but the second and third phases have not yet been delivered due to transport challenges. The main challenge that we are facing now is that the transporters now want to be paid in USD not in ZiG.
“So the government decided to make arrangements in the districts that every beneficiary must pay an amount of US$3 so that their food may be delivered. We encourage MPs that have transport to assist in the distribution of food aid in their constituencies. We urge them to partner business people that can assist so that people get their food on time,” said Chadzamira.
Contacted for comment, Masvingo Permanent Secretary for Provincial Affairs and Devolution Dr Addmore Pazvakavambwa confirmed the crisis and said at some point they approached World Food Program (WFP) to assist with transport.
“For now transport is a challenge and at some point we approached WFP to assist us with transport so that people will get their food. So for the second phase, I’m not sure if there are any arrangements I will have to verify with social welfare department.
Masvingo South Constituency Member of Parliament Tanatswa Mukomberi told TellZim News that he was in the process of engaging a local transporter to transport the grain at a flexible cost.
“I have made a local arrangement where beneficiaries pay a small fee of about US$1 for the transportation of the food and this is being managed by their councilors. In my office as MP am engaging one transporter to come to an agreement where he provides me transport and I will pay him in flexible terms,” said Mukomberi.
Mwenezi West MP Priscilla Moyo said she had her own trucks that she was using to distribute food aid to the beneficiaries.
“I am going to use my own trucks free of charge to distribute the food. However some of the beneficiaries have offered to pay for fuel. In my constituency everything is set and we are waiting for the food that is said to come next week,” said Moyo.
Chivi North Constituency MP Godfrey Mukungunugwa said he provides transport for his constituency and the beneficiaries contribute to fuel.
“I’m providing transport for the beneficiaries through arranging for transport and the beneficiary contributes to fuel. I make sure that everyone gets their food whether they contributed or not,” said Mukungunugwa.
