‘Drone tech makes border patrols easier’
THE use of drone technology to monitor the country’s borders is commendable as Zimbabwe is embracing the use of technology to explore the abundant opportunities at its disposal and increase efficiencies in service delivery, Permanent Secretary for Transport and Infrastructural Development Engineer Joy Makumbe has said.
In a speech read on her behalf by the director air accidents and incidents investigations in the Ministry, Mr George Mashababe, at the Civil Aviation Authority of Zimbabwe (CAAZ) stakeholders’ workshop in Harare this week, Eng Makumbe said Government was impressed by the use of drone technology within the country’s borders.
A number of entities and individuals such as parastatals, corporates, farmers, mining firms artists and citizens were introducing drone technology within their service delivery systems to increase efficiency.
“The technology is now widely used for activities which range from aerial surveys, power line inspections, farming and photography among a host of other uses,” Eng Makumbe said.
“This is indeed commendable as it shows that as a nation we are embracing use of technology as we explore the abundant opportunities that are at our disposal as well as increase efficiencies in service delivery.
“However, as we mainstream the use of drone technology we should also be alive to the negative consequences that can arise in terms of safety and security of all, and as such I wish to implore all drone owners and users to abide by our laws and regulations when using these remotely piloted aircraft.
“It is a possibility that these technological pieces can pose a threat to air transport users as well as pose a security risk if they are misused or are placed in the wrong hands.
“It is a recognised fact that aviation is always a target for malcontents and other malicious actors whose objectives may include causing massive losses through economic disruption, generate fear in the public by reducing confidence in safety and security and convey symbolic statements and messages.”
Eng Makumbe said aviation was seen as attractive but also a hotbed for nefarious activity hence the need to strike a beneficial balance as the Transport Ministry came up with modalities for incorporating technology. The Ministry was appreciative of the efforts by all stakeholders among them the Zimbabwe Revenue Authority (ZIMRA), Ministry of Defence and Ministry of Home Affairs through the Zimbabwe Republic Police in ensuring that the use of drones was adequately regulated for the safe and security of the country and its people.
“In pursuing these regulatory initiatives, the Ministry wishes to assure all its stakeholders of its support to create a robust safety and security operating framework that not only responds to the current threats and risks, but also anticipates and adapts to future beneficial opportunities of use of these technologies for the growth, development and sustainability of the aviation sector and the country at large,” said Eng Makumbe.
CAAZ board chairman Captain Alois Nyandoro said drone use in Zimbabwe had seen a sharp increase as the country continued to embrace the technology.
CAAZ could only complement to ensure that drone operations within the country were safe and secure.
“We hereby encourage all personnel and corporates to be conversant with the Civil Aviation (Remotely Piloted Aircraft) Regulations, SI 271 of 2018 which is currently in force,” he said.
“We may sometimes fall short of the industry expectations and as such we request engagements with our frontline personnel and their superiors through our customer feedback platforms which strive for continuous improvements in line with the authority’s quality management systems.
“We shall be improving on drone registration platforms to include online drone registrations and payments to cater to those far away from our airports and to ensure seamless travel experience at our borders.”