Zupco to distribute new buses
THE Great Zimbabwe World Heritage Site has received a major security boost following the installation of modern surveillance equipment to monitor wall movements, theft and vandalism, among other threats.
The iconic heritage site has been prone to vandalism, among other challenges, that threatened its status as a world-acclaimed tourist attraction.
National Museums and Monuments of Zimbabwe (NMMZ) Masvingo regional director Mr Lovemore Mandima said the installation of monitoring and surveillance systems at the monuments was spearheaded by two Italian experts.
He said the two experts were Mr Cristiano Russo, a structural engineer and Mr Muscio Vito, geologist at Rome-based company, Studio Croci and Association.
Previously, NMMZ used to monitor wall movements at the monuments manually.
Mr Mandima said the installation of the monitoring system was the first practical step towards the implementation of the Great Zimbabwe cultural preservation project funded by the US Government through the American Ambassador’s Cultural Fund to the tune of US $475 000.
US Ambassador to Zimbabwe Mr Brian
Nichols and National Museums and Monuments of Zimbabwe executive director Dr Godfrey Mahachi together with World Museum Fund director Mr Stephene Battle on November 6,2018 signed an agreement to utilise the funding in the restoration and preservation of the site.
Mr Mandima said the project would basically cover three components which include dry stone wall monitoring, conservation of the dry stone wall and the removal of the menacing Lantana Camara plant, which threatens the firmness and durability of the monuments.
“Prior to the funding by the US embassy, the NMMZ conservation team used to manual monitoring. We therefore applaud both the funding and implementing partners of the project.
“So far, we have accomplished the installation of surveillance equipment, which first practical step towards the implementation of the project.”
He said this would mark the advent of new technology in the national heritage preservation in Zimbabwe and also spur growth of the tourism industry.
Eng Russo confirmed that they had finished installing wire instruments, laser scanners, sensors and data loggers at the monuments.
He said the equipment would provide data such as humidity, stone temperature, the possibility of crack development, among other issues.
“Through navigation of the system, we will then make informed decisions on how to protect the site and the amount of effort we would put,” said Eng Russo.
Ambassador Nichols said the provision of a grant for the preservation of Great Zimbabwe Monuments was a confirmation of the US Government’s long-standing commitment to assist Zimbabwe.
He also described the splendid monuments as a symbols of energy, talent, perseverance and hard work by the people of Zimbabwe.
THE Zimbabwe United Passenger Company ( Zupco) will soon distribute new buses countrywide as Government continues to increase the company’s fleet to ease transport challenges.
This comes after the latest batch of 76 buses imported by the Government from China arrived in Bulawayo on Sunday.
President Mnangagwa is set commission the buses on a date to be announced.
The Head of State and Government recently confirmed the delivery of the new buses, while Government extended the Zupco franchise to commuter omnibus operators.
“In t he t ransport s ector, my administration acquired buses to resuscitate Zupco and ease the plight of the commuting public and we will be launching more buses next ( this) week,” said President Mnangagwa last week while addressing the Zanu- PF Youth League.
“In addition, Government recently extended the Zupco franchise to commuter omnibus operators.”
In an interview with The Herald on Monday, Zupco chief executive Mr Evaristo Madangwa said the latest batch of buses will be distributed across all provinces.
“On Sunday, 76 buses imported by Government from China arrived in Bulawayo and we will soon distribute the buses across all the provinces as a way of curbing transport challenges in the country,” he said.
Mr Madangwa said when allocating the buses in towns, Zupco would first conduct route surveys so that the buses are distributed according to needs.
The 76 buses are part of the 1 000 buses order from China which is expected to complement another 500 buses from Belarus.
So far, Zupco has franchised 200 commuter omnibuses across the country, with efforts to increase the fleet to 1 000 already underway.