adminInnocent Ruwende Senior Reporter
Government is set to introduce the Zimbabwe Integrated Transport Management System (Zimtis), aimed at eliminating corrupt activities, while boosting operational efficiency at the Vehicle Inspection Department (VID), the Zimbabwe National Roads Administration (Zinara), the Central Vehicle Registry (CVR), traffic police and the Zimbabwe Revenue Authority (Zimra).
A private sector partner has already been identified by the Ministry of Transport and Infrastructural Development to provide the new system, which was showcased at the just ended Harare Agricultural Show.
The project is aimed at coordinating the essential elements of the country’s transport management system such as road policing by the police and computerised issuance of learners’ licences by VID, while enhancing Zinara’s operations and revenues.
A pilot scheme will be conducted on VID’s drivers’ licensing system, with aspiring drivers undergoing a computerised learners licence test where they will instantly get their results.
There will be no interventions by an examiner, hence zero room for negotiation, bribery or corruption.
Secretary for Transport and Infrastructural Development Engineer George Mlilo yesterday said the system was part of a broad management system adopted by Government for many of its arms.
He said a service provider had been contracted by Government to handle the technological aspects of the system.
“According to instruction, the Government should develop an integrated management system that is not solely confined to transport,” he said.
“In respect of transport, the management system will enable the various government departments and agencies such as Zimra, CVR and Zinara to monitor how vehicles are moving in the country from the moment they arrive at the border for clearance and to track whether they have been retested for road fitness or not.
“Connection of this technology will be for internal departments in the Ministry, Zimra, traffic police, Traffic Safety Council, Automobile Association of Zimbabwe, Zinara and any other related departments and organisations.”
The move, meant to foster efficiency and do away with corruption, would have a new eye testing device and capturing unit that will first certify the sharpness of one’s eyesight before taking the electronic test.
All identification details or particulars of prospective drivers will be captured through the system, thus eliminating the need for photos and hand-written documents.
Zimtis will ensure that Zimbabwe has competent and qualified drivers on its roads.
The move by the Ministry of Transport comes after President Mnangagwa’s repeated calls for the introduction of special programmes to eliminate corruption and ensure that Zimbabwe is open for business.
President Mnangagwa last week deplored reckless driving on the country’s roads, saying offenders must be severely punished, after 13 people were killed in an accident at the 152 kilometre peg on the Harare-Bulawayo Highway.
Online Reporter