Exempt Beitbridge residents from paying access fees: Nguluvhe

ZANU-PF’s National Assembly candidate for Beitbridge East Constituency Cde Albert Nguluvhe has urged Government to consider reviewing border access fees for Beitbridge residents.

Cross-border trade is one of the town’s major economic activities.

He said Government should also act on the disbursement of funds for infrastructure development in the border town, which are being collected under the Beitbridge Bridge Development Fund.

Cde Nguluvhe made the remarks while addressing residents during a clean-up programme held in the town on Saturday morning. He said though Government had approved the release of 1 percent of funds realised from the border post, the delay in releasing the money was appalling.

“Beitbridge’s infrastructure is strained due to the high volume of human and vehicles traffic passing through the border daily. You will note that besides customs and clearing, transport and logistics, cross-border trade is one of the major economic activities for the residents here,” he said.

“It is, therefore, prudent for the Government to exempt Beitbridge residents from paying bridge toll fees, road access levies among other access fees. In addition, you will note that our Government approved that Beitbridge should get at least 1 percent of money collected at the border, which will be used on developing infrastructure such as roads, water and sewer reticulation facilitates among others.

“However, it is sad that nothing has been done about the release of these funds.”

He said the border post re-organisation initiative was a welcome move to enhance the ease of doing business for local citizens and the international community.