adminNew levy for air travellers unveiled
Zvamaida Murwira Senior Reporter
PASSENGERS using air transport now have to pay more after the Civil Aviation Authority of Zimbabwe introduced an Aviation Infrastructure Development Fund levy to raise money to rehabilitate infrastructure.
The fee, which becomes effective on Wednesday, will see domestic passengers paying US$5 while international travellers fork out US$15 more.
CAAZ is seeking to raise US$400 million to spruce up deteriorating infrastructure.
Air travellers are already paying US$10 and US$25 airport passenger fee per domestic and international flight, respectively.
The new rules are contained in a Statutory Instrument of a Government Gazette published by Transport, Communication and Infrastructural Development Minister Nicholas Goche last Friday.
The regulations, to be cited as the Civil Aviation (Aviation Infrastructure Development Fund Fee) Regulations 2012 were made in terms of section 79 of the Civil Aviation Act.
“Subject to subsection (3) below, no person shall depart from any aerodrome on an aircraft unless he has paid the Aviation Infrastructure Fund fee (a) if he/she is a passenger on a domestic flight, in the sum of five United States dollars (b) if he/she is a
China pledges to support Africa’s ‘just position’
From Munyaradzi Huni in ADDIS ABABA, Ethiopia
CHINA has pledged to support the “just position” of African countries in various international forums saying it was opposed to the “big, strong and rich countries bullying the small, weak and poor” of the world.
In a solidarity speech he delivered at the official opening of the 18th AU Summit here yesterday, chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference, Mr Jia Qinglin, said China did not attach any political strings to its assistance.
“We will firmly support the just position of African countries at various international fora. As a permanent member of the UN Security Council, China will continue to actively participate in affairs concerning peace and security in Africa with a responsible attitude,” Mr Jia said.
He said China firmly supports African countries in their efforts to uphold their sovereignty and independence.
Mr Qinglin said throughout the development of the China-Africa relations, his country respected the sovereignty and development path of African countries.
“We have always treated African countries on an equal footing and pursued mutually-beneficial and win-win co-operation with them.
Fertiliser shortage hits Zim
AN acute shortage of top dressing fertiliser (Ammonium Nitrate) has hit the market, threatening crop yield.
The fertiliser is only available on the informal market where it is being sold at prohibitive prices.
Early this month, Government turned down an appeal by fertiliser producers who sought to export the commodity, saying domestic demand had to be met first.
Spokesperson for the fertiliser industry, who is also Chemplex Corporation chief executive, Mr Misheck Kachere, last Friday said operational challenges had affected production.
“It is true that there is a shortage of AN fertiliser on the market at the moment and it is due to the liquidity challenges in the economy.
“We cannot buy raw materials and pay utility bills, especially to Zesa,” he said.
“In the past three months we lost about 15 000 tonnes of production due to disruptions.” Mr Kachere said between four and five thousand tonnes of fertiliser were on the market.
He said firms were trying to mitigate shortages by importing the commodity although financial constraints sometimes forced them to cancel orders.
Staff shortages hit border post
Herald Reporter
OPERATIONS at the Chirundu One Stop Border Post are being hampered by shortage of staff accommodation and provision of other basic services, the Parliamentary Portfolio Committee on Budget, Finance and Investment Promotion heard last Friday.
Veteran journalist Bwititi dies
Herald Reporter
FORMER Chronicle, Manica Post and Southern Times editor Makuwerere Bwititi has died. He was 46. A family spokesperson said Bwititi, who was now one of the editorial managers of the New Era in Namibia, succumbed to renal failure yesterday
93 000 families in need of food relief
From George Maponga in Masvingo
OVER 93 000 households are in urgent need of food in Masvingo, prompting the Government to revive drought relief committees to spearhead the movement of grain to villagers. Government has already re-activated the grain loan scheme where
Internal squabbles crack Upfumi Kuvadiki
Municipal Reporter
YOUTH empowerment pressure group Upfumi Kuvadiki has been rocked by internal squabbles. The divisions have been sparked by reports that dismissed spokesperson, Mr Alson Darikayi, is claiming to be the organisation’s leader. Mr Darikayi is also accused
Asiagate: Ethics committee to question people
Sports Reporter
THE process of finalising the Asiagate scandal is expected to move a gear up in mid-February with the Zifa Ethics Committee set to bring key people in for questioning. On Friday, the Zifa board met in the capital and received a report from