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the Zimbabwe National Parks and Wildlife Authority has floated tenders for three hunting concessions, namely the Chete, Chirisa and Depa safari areas which will be publicly auctioned on December 5.
Speaking on the sidelines of the Wildlife Ecological Trust fund-raising dinner last week, the hunting regulatory authority’s director-general, Mr Edson Chidziya, said they floated the tender through their auctioneer.
“We advertised the tender through an auctioneer who is engaged on an annual basis through the Tender Board. We are, however, yet to receive details on the tendering process.
He also said that they are yet to confirm with the auctioneer on the number of people who expressed interest in the safari areas.
Mr Chidziya said they have not spoken to the auctioneer yet but will be getting feedback in terms of number of brochures that would have been bought before the auction date.
Mr Chidziya called on those who are interested to make sure they are compliant with the laws of the country in terms of indigenisation laws and any other regulations which are pertinent to the hunting industry.
Environment, Water and Climate Minister Mr Saviour Kasukuwere told Herald Business that more tenders on hunting licences are coming to make it easy for more Zimbabweans to access the concessions in line with President Mugabe’s call for the country to accrue greater benefits from its resources.
Minister Kasukuwere said there was need for the private sector to invest in the country’s wildlife conservancies and safari areas to unlock value of wildlife.
“Private sector investment helps to unlock the value of wildlife and widen the market share of business in wildlife management.
“Government will ensure that access to the wildlife industry will be through transparent means such as tendering of hunting concessions.
“We will ensure that there is equity in the use of these natural resources and that all Zimbabweans have an opportunity to benefit from their use,” the minister said.
Minister Kasukuwere added that Government’s role should be to create jobs and a conducive environment to grow the industry. Government in October said it had secured US$10 million through the Ministry of Tourism and Hospitality Industry which would be used as a revolving fund to recapitalise the wildlife sector.
Online Reporter