The Bus Operators of Zimbabwe have joined together and signed a Memorandum Of Understanding (MOU) between themselves in a bid to implement and assemble the manufacturing of buses in the country rather than importing them from outside the country.
The MOU was signed between the Amalgamated bus industries private limited, Quest motors manufacturing private limited and AVM Africa Private Limited.
Addressing delegates during the MOU ceremony which was held in Harare today, deputy minister of transport and infrastructural development, honorable Mike Madiro commended the private sector for such an initiative.
“It is important to ensure that we are competitive, and if we are importing everything, we are depended on other players whom we may be competing with.” He said.
The deputy minister said it is government’s wish for the private sector to be depended.
“We are witnessing this event in the new dispensation and it has always been our wish that we anchor and consolidate our economics following the attainment of our political independent.
“It is important to recognise that you are a service provider, you give a service to our citizens. In the process of providing that service, you also make business because that is the essence of your existence.” Hon Madiro said.
Meanwhile, Chairman of Amalgamated bus industries private limited, Mr Samson Nananga said they decided to join together as bus operators so that Zimbabwe will not waste resources by importing buses that they can easily manufacture locally.
“Yesteryears we used to build buses locally but currently we are importing complete CPUs which comes at a premium whilst we have expertise to build these buses locally.” He said.
Mr Nananga added that the manufacturing of buses locally will also create the much needed employment.
“We as operators primarily our responsibility is to move passengers inter city, intra city, from rural areas and across the border. It is of paramount importance that we took this pragmatic step to ensure that buses are manufactured and assembled locally.
“There will be massive job creation which is inline with the vision 30 and downstream industries will also benefit.” Nananga added.
