News / National
Transport sector not in good shape
11 Apr 2017 at 06:47hrs | Views
Transport and Infrastructural Development Minister Jorum Gumbo has said the transport sector especial government parastatals are in bad shape and need recapitalization.
Minister Gumbo said for sure, they have so many planes coming into Zimbabwe and next month they will be having Kenya Airline.
"We have negotiated with a number of countries to also fly into Zimbabwe. However, in terms of Air Zimbabwe – colleagues, the Ministry of Transport is a difficult Ministry. The things that they need to have are not cheap. The railway and the roads are not in good shape and even the aeroplanes are not in good shape but when given a job to do, you have to do it," he said.
"Let me assure you that we are working at it squarely and what is on the ground is that we have plans for Air Zimbabwe. We can equate it to what the National Railways of Zimbabwe (NRZ) was but we have been given permission by Government to work on it. We are far ahead in our plans for the Ministry of Finance to take over the debt of Air Zimbabwe. This will enable us to streamline the Air Zimbabwe management and look for new aeroplanes to help alleviate the plight of Air Zimbabwe."
Gumbo said the plan is still in its infancy stage, so he cannot divulge much because there are still more things to be done.
"But I just want to assure you that before we get to July, you will see a lot of Air Zimbabwe aeroplanes flying. We will be going to Brussels on 26th April to try and service our debt so that we will get our planes flying to London and other routes. So, I think you can hold your horses a little bit because in the near future, things will be alright and we will be running a competitive airline. I thank you," he said.
Minister Gumbo said for sure, they have so many planes coming into Zimbabwe and next month they will be having Kenya Airline.
"We have negotiated with a number of countries to also fly into Zimbabwe. However, in terms of Air Zimbabwe – colleagues, the Ministry of Transport is a difficult Ministry. The things that they need to have are not cheap. The railway and the roads are not in good shape and even the aeroplanes are not in good shape but when given a job to do, you have to do it," he said.
Gumbo said the plan is still in its infancy stage, so he cannot divulge much because there are still more things to be done.
"But I just want to assure you that before we get to July, you will see a lot of Air Zimbabwe aeroplanes flying. We will be going to Brussels on 26th April to try and service our debt so that we will get our planes flying to London and other routes. So, I think you can hold your horses a little bit because in the near future, things will be alright and we will be running a competitive airline. I thank you," he said.
Source - Byo24News
