Govt strikes deal for US$60 million investment for...

Govt strikes deal for US$60 million investment for new traffic management system

Oscar J Jeke

Zim Now Reporter

The Ministry of Home Affairs and Cultural Heritage has confirmed an engagement for public-private partnership with Dubai-based Vitronic Machine Vision Middle East, for the installation of a Smart Traffic Management System that will see an initial investment of between US$60 to US$80 million, in a bid to improve national security among other benefits.

The project that will, at inception be implemented in the country’s two biggest cities, Harare and Bulawayo, is earmarked to reduce road carnage, traffic congestion, corruption among other beneficial factors, will also see improved revenue for government that will help in improving policing and national security.

Speaking at last week’s post-Cabinet briefing, Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services Minister, Dr. Jenfan Muswere confirmed the partnership model, revealing that the partner company has a track record, installing similar systems in Saudi Arabia, Rwanda, France, Germany among others.

“Vitronic Machine Vision Middle East, a Dubai based company that specializes in Smart Traffic Management Systems, visited Zimbabwe from 12 to 16 May, 2024 and held discussions with key stakeholders. The company has installed similar systems in a number of countries including Morocco, Rwanda, United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, France, Germany and Belarus,” said Minister Muswere.

He also added that the project will see installation of intelligent cameras that will be linked to a database of stolen vehicles and wanted criminals, adding that the Vitronic Machine will recover its investment from traffic violations and fines paid, in a revenue sharing arrangement.

“The installation of the Smart Traffic Management System will benefit Zimbabwe in a number of ways including the following: enforcement of the law by bringing to book all traffic regulation violators; reduction of road carnage; reduction of traffic congestion in the Central Business District; reduction in corruption as there will be minimal human intervention; improved revenue streams for Government which will be used to improve policing; and improved national security as intelligent cameras will be installed and linked to the database of stolen vehicles and wanted criminals.

“Vitronic Machine Vision Middle East will invest between 60 to 80 million United States dollars as an initial investment outlay. The project will be implemented under a Public-Private-Partnership model and will, at inception, be implemented in Harare and Bulawayo Metropolitan provinces. The company will recover its investment from fines paid for traffic violations through a revenue sharing arrangement,” he added.

Zimbabwe has experienced a surge in road carnage that has been attributed to reckless driving and negligence, with transport authorities warning road users to exercise caution on the roads.