Govt to set up electronic road management system
GOVERNMENT is now at “advanced stages” of setting up an electronic road management system, according to Transport and Infrastructural Development Minister Joel Biggie Matiza.
“My ministry is already at advanced stages in establishing an electronic system meant to integrate and create synergies in road transport management,” he said.
Minister Matiza has exhorted motorists to exercise compliance by keeping their vehicles up-to-date for insurance and the Zimbabwe National Road Administration (Zinara) licences.
He added that in November a number of accidents were recorded with fatal results and in some fatalities there was inadequate insurance cover.
“It is an important Government requirement that vehicles be insured before being licensed. The sad reality is that some vehicles have been driven on our roads without insurance or a valid licence.”
The Minister was speaking at the launch of a vehicle insurance company, GeneInsure, by Zimnat (Pvt) Ltd recently.
“The introduction of the GeneInsure facility is a step in the right direction. It should be understood that once the full system is operational, linkages to various sectors such as Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP), Vehicle Inspection Department (VID), Central Vehicle Registry (CVR), Traffic Safety Council of Zimbabwe and other relevant stakeholders would have been created,” he said.
Zimnat’s new subsidiary GeneInsure will make use of biometric registration whereby customers will simply use their finger prints to start a transaction using the Automated Licensing machine. The Insurance service will include facilities such as Insurance certificate, ZBC Radio and TV licence and ZINARA licences. Speaking at the launch , GeneInsure head of marketing and business development Gamuchirai Masiywa Mugabe, stressed that it was high time global technologies be used to make business easy.
Government has called for the creation of an enabling environment, including the ease of doing business for economic development.
GeneInsure has brought a unique approach to vehicle insurance business as it bases its operations on a paper free online operation.
The company said it is going to install Automated Licensing Machines (ALM) in public places so that people will conveniently access the automated machines and subscribe their licences.
“The machines will be rolled out with our partners that have nationwide reach, expect to enjoy the service of our new innovative ALM very soon. We are now in the process of testing the machines and finalizing with our partners, said Zimnat group marketing executive Angela Mpala.
These machines have inbuilt card slots for swiping or inserting master cards, visa cards or bank cards for making payments. GeneInsure has confirmed that all payment forms are accepted including Ecocash.
Zimnat group CEO, Mustafa Sachak reiterated the need to embrace new technologies in business to make lives better.
“In today’s fast paced society people are no longer willing to wait for long queues for service. With technological advances and a greater desire for time saving, customers now view efficient buying opportunities as integral to ‘wow’ customer service.
“With this technology our customers are able to transact with us 24 hours getting their documents produced immediately. An added advantage is, this machine is that it is always available. It doesn’t have office hours, it doesn’t go on coffee breaks, and it’s never in a bad mood. Customers will now transact with us at their convenience, not ours,” he said.