Online Reporter
Belindah Chikandiwa
WITH road accidents draining nearly three percent of GDP annually, the Government has declared it cannot “go it alone” and is actively courting private investment to finance a comprehensive road safety overhaul, beginning with a Cabinet-approved Road Accident Fund.
This was said yesterday by acting director for strategic planning and monitoring in the Ministry of Transport and Infrastructural Development, Mr Takura Vengesera, in his address at the second annual Road Safety Conference in Harare.
Mr Vengesera, representing Transport and Infrastructural Development Minister Felix Mhona, outlined a twin financial strategy, a State-led compensation fund for victims and private capital for critical infrastructure.
He positioned Public-Private Partnerships as the essential engine for rebuilding the nation’s roads.
“Government cannot go it alone in terms of infrastructure development, in terms of funding,” said Minister Mhona.
“We are actively engaging with the private sector to fund and support road projects. We call upon those who have got free funds to also engage the Government.”
The proposed fund, modelled on regional examples, aims to address the immediate crisis in post-crash care, where most citizens have no financial protection.
Safer Roads Trust founder and conference host, Mr Tawanda Sisimayi, underscored the fund’s vital role, linking it directly to the indaba theme of improving post-crash response.
“About 90 percent of Zimbabweans are not on any medical insurance.
“So, I am happy that with the coming on board of the Road Accident Fund, these problems then should be resolved and every Zimbabwean should be able to get access to care,” said Mr Tawanda Walter Sisimayi.
While welcoming the Fund, transport industry representatives warned that its design must be meticulously coordinated with existing systems and paired with prevention to ensure sustainability.
Mr Fradreck Maguramhinga, president of ZUDCO commuter services, called for integration.
“Before the Road Accident Fund is introduced, there is a need for thorough research and coordination between line ministries . . .
“We must leave the statutory requirement which allows every vehicle to have passenger insurance,” said Mr Maguramhinga.
The urgent need for both the Fund and improved infrastructure was hammered home by frontline emergency service providers.
Discovery Ambulance Services manager, Mr Elliot Chivige, detailed a fragmented and under-resourced system.
“We have a lot of individualism in the emergency medical services sector,” he said.
“We need to centralise and have one national toll-free number. Wrong extrication methods are the biggest killer”.
Mr Vengesera listed major “bankable” projects for private investment, including the Harare-Beitbridge-Chirundu corridor and the Bulawayo-Victoria Falls Highway, alongside intelligent traffic systems.
