News / National
Government attacked over fuel levy proposal
20 May 2015 at 08:38hrs | Views
Zimbabwean government has been attacked for proposing to introduce the fuel levy a development which has been described as a desperate means of trying to raise the money for the fiscus by the ruling Zanu-PF.
The Zanu-PF government is said to be planning to introduce fuel levy in addition to the toll gate fees that is currently being collected by the government from motorists.
Tawonezvi Churu said the government should use toll gate money for rehabilitation of roads and building other roads.
"Right a lot of that money is being diverted for other use. I have a relative working in the government accounts department. Your blood will boil when you hear what toll gate money is being used for! Good Lord have mercy on our wretched souls!," he said.
Emily Musipa said, "this goverment haven't any care now about everything but about money to how could they squander the money is their prioty nothing more.
Government is considering introducing a levy on fuel that will go towards rehabilitation of the country's roads.
The proposed levy will result in an additional one cent added on the price of petrol and two cents on the price of diesel.
Transport and Infrastructural Development Minister Obert Mpofu told a committee of Parliament that the levy is still under consultation.
"The levy is still under consultation. We need to get consensus from other stakeholders. And we are putting a lot of pressure on them," he said.
"In doing these adjustments, you tend to meet a lot of resistance from community leaders saying an increase in fuel prices will drive up the cost of other things."
Minister Mpofu acknowledged that Zimbabwe's road infrastructure still requires a lot of work, and said funds accrued from road tolling by statutory body, the Zimbabwe National Roads Administration (Zinara), is inadequate for effective rehabilitation.
Zimbabwe, in partnership with the African Development Bank, is working to develop a Transport Master plan, the first draft is expected to be ready by mid this year.
The Zanu-PF government is said to be planning to introduce fuel levy in addition to the toll gate fees that is currently being collected by the government from motorists.
Tawonezvi Churu said the government should use toll gate money for rehabilitation of roads and building other roads.
"Right a lot of that money is being diverted for other use. I have a relative working in the government accounts department. Your blood will boil when you hear what toll gate money is being used for! Good Lord have mercy on our wretched souls!," he said.
Emily Musipa said, "this goverment haven't any care now about everything but about money to how could they squander the money is their prioty nothing more.
Government is considering introducing a levy on fuel that will go towards rehabilitation of the country's roads.
Transport and Infrastructural Development Minister Obert Mpofu told a committee of Parliament that the levy is still under consultation.
"The levy is still under consultation. We need to get consensus from other stakeholders. And we are putting a lot of pressure on them," he said.
"In doing these adjustments, you tend to meet a lot of resistance from community leaders saying an increase in fuel prices will drive up the cost of other things."
Minister Mpofu acknowledged that Zimbabwe's road infrastructure still requires a lot of work, and said funds accrued from road tolling by statutory body, the Zimbabwe National Roads Administration (Zinara), is inadequate for effective rehabilitation.
Zimbabwe, in partnership with the African Development Bank, is working to develop a Transport Master plan, the first draft is expected to be ready by mid this year.
Source - Byo24News
