By Staff Reporter
Social welfare food beneficiaries were urged to assist the government by chipping in for transport costs since the government is now facing challenges in getting transportation.
Speaking to TellZim News, Provincial Social Development Officer Stanislaus Sanyangowe said beneficiaries were expected to pay whenever the government is out of money to pay transporters from depots to districts.
“Whenever the government is out of money it’s the recipients’ duty to organise transport for themselves and assist the government in transporting the maize grain to their respective districts.
“Beneficiaries negotiate with the transport of their choice. Negotiations for transport costs should be guided by the circular. After transport arrangements they should advise District Social Welfare Officers who would collect the grain from the Grain Marketing Board and they will be an escort from the Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) to make sure the aid reaches the destination.
Sanyangowe said from the circular received, the government reviewed the charges for transportation of the food aid to the beneficiaries.
“The ministry received reviewed rates charges to be charged by transporters when transporting social welfare food aid to the recipients and the highest amount to be charged should not exceed US$3.
“The following charges has been approved for transporters who operate with transporting grain to the beneficiaries where there are tarred roads US0, 25c per tonne per kilometre, dust roads US$0,27c per tonne per kilometre. Provincial bag distribution rates are 10-60 kilometers its US$1 per bag, 61-100kilometres US$1, 50 per bag, 101kilometres to 150kilometres its US$2 per bag, 151 kilometers to 200km its US$2, 50 per bag and more than 201 kilometers its US$3 per bag,” Sanyangowe said.
Addressing party supporters in November 2024 Minister of State for Provincial Affairs Ezra Chadzamira said the phase two of food distribution will only require a little amount from beneficiaries to reach the beneficiaries.
“The phase two food distribution has faced a challenge that the transporters now want to be paid in United States Dollars which the government is failing to pay. So the beneficiaries should pay little amount which does not exceed US$3 for the furthest distance,” said Chadzamira.
In an interview with TellZim News, Masvingo Rural District Council (RDC) ward 13 councillor Sarah Phineas Munemo said in Chikarudzo people were ready to pay for transport costs except a few individuals who did not want to comply.
“As people are drawing close to harvesting there is a lot of hunger in my area and people are ready to pay that little amount so as to get maize grain.
“A few individuals such as drunkards are not ready to pay and they think they are being unfairly treated by paying around US$2 per bag yet if they are buying a bucket of maize meal they pay US$12. So the transport costs are worthy it rather than suffering from hunger,” said Munemo.
