Public transport services decentralised
MANZINI – Public transport operators will save a lot in terms of travelling costs as the Ministry of Public Works and Transport has launched the decentralisation of road transportation services.
This means that public transport operators will no longer go to Mbabane when they need certain documents related to their business as they will get them from centres in the four regions of the country, for a start in; Manzini, Buhleni, Nhlangano and Lugongolweni.
The decentralisation of road transportation services was launched by the Minister of Public Works and Transport, Chief Ndlaluhlaza Ndwandwe, yesterday at Lugongolweni Inkhundla and the event was graced by the presence of the Minister of Tinkhundla Administration and Development, David ‘Cruiser’ Ngcamphalala, Lubombo Regional Administrator (RA) Themba Msibi and the National Road Transpiration Council (NRTC) Chairman Magesi Dlamini, among others.
Policy
When launching the project, the minister said emaSwati would recall that government’s key policy regarding delivery of public services was to get closer to the people and indeed the launch of this project was a practical expression of implementation of this policy position.
He said for a long time, road transport services were offered only at the head office in Mbabane and this came at a huge cost to the clients.
“This will now change. We will start with the issuance of variation permits and add more other services as time goes,” the minister said.
He said they were looking at creating an Information Technology (IT) platform to extend the service provision even much closer to wherever the clients were and be accessed at a click of a computer or phone key.
The minister thanked the Ministry of Tinkhu nd la Administration and Development for providing office space and the staff to operationalise the Regional Transportation Offices initiative. He said there would be four of these offices based in Manzini, Buhleni, Nhlangano and Lugongolweni.
Thereafter, Chief Ndlaluhlaza highlighted that the services to be provided at the Regional Road Transportation office included receiving of fresh, renewal and amendment forms.
He said the offices would issue public transport application forms and also receive completed application forms for conveyance to Mbabane - Road Transportation Board (RTB Secretariat).
Again, he said, the offices would receive request and issue public transport variation permits.
He said the officers have already been trained on how this would be done. On top of that, the minister said motorists and public transport operators and workers would be able to pay their traffic fines at these regional road transport offices.
Applications
“The offices will also track regional public transportation applications and facilitate that the Road Transportation Board meets in the regions whenever such may be required to look into these applications exclusively,” the minister added.
Furthermore, he said communities would be able to report, enquire and to drop their suggestions on how to improve the road transportation services.
In terms of future services, which would be provided in these offices, the minister said there would be online applications. He said as part of the ease of doing business, government continued with its Information and Communication Technology (ICT) programmes in terms of availing online services.
On that note, he said the Ministry of Public Works and Transport was determined to allow online applications for public transport permits.
He said with the help of the E-government Unit and stakeholders, the ministry had already availed the application forms on the government website.
He said the other stages would soon follow. “Board meetings will also be conducted online to eliminate costs of movement and improve service delivery,” the minister said.
Moreover, the minister invited emaSwati to visit the offices, to enquire about available services, to make use of it and to spread the message to all other potential clients in the Lubombo Region.