Hi-tech to end border leakages
DRONES and fast cargo scanners have been deployed by the Government at the Beitbridge Border Post as it intensifies the use of modern technologies to curb invasive leakages and smuggling through ports of entry to maximise revenue collection while promoting transparency and accountability in line with global best practices.
Finance, Economic Development and Investment Promotion Minister, Professor Mthuli Ncube, officially launched the drones, fast cargo scanners, and electronic cargo tracking systems here yesterday.
He said the equipment will result in increased surveillance in all hotspot areas, improve service delivery to clients, and reduce the loss of critical revenue, which the Treasury needs for financing development projects.
Prof Ncube said similar technologies will soon be deployed to other ports of entry/exit including Forbes and Chirundu.
Already, the automation of services and separation of traffic at the transformed Beitbridge Border Post has become a game changer by facilitating enhanced efficiency systems at the country’s busiest port of entry.
“The Government is working on a raft of measures to boost its revenue collection capacity at the border. Under the current setup, the border agencies are now able to clear commercial cargo arriving at Beitbridge faster compared to more than 24 hours in the last decade,” said Prof Ncube.
“I am impressed and proud of the Zimbabwe Revenue Authority (Zimra) - as a national institution of strategic importance - for the work they are doing in boosting revenue collection.
“Today we have launched drones, electronic cargo tracking systems (ECTS), and fast scanners to boost efficiency systems.
“What started as a written vision has become a reality when the nation is still basking in the glory of the Beitbridge Border transformation, and what we are launching today is a continuation of our development trajectory.”
The drones, ECTS, and fast scanners project, said Minister Ncube, is a reaffirmation of the Second Republic’s mantra that Zimbabwe can only be built by Zimbabweans.
He said there is a great improvement in efficiency in the clearing of commercial trucks.
Already, some commercial transporters who had abandoned the Zimbabwean route have started returning due to improved service delivery. ◆ Full story on www.herald.co.zw