Govt must sort out traffic jams

By Amh Voices | Apr. 15, 2023

Letters to the Editor

HARARE Provincial Affairs and Devolution secretary Tafadzwa Muguti held a meeting with all government ministries, departments and agencies involved in roads administration and traffic law enforcement. The meeting follows numerous complaints from residents over frustrating traffic jams and reckless drivers who tend to drive on pavements and oncoming traffic.

There is a standing Cabinet on decongestion of the City of Harare. Please be advised that guided by the standing guidelines of the Inter-Ministerial committee the Harare Provincial Affairs and Devolution has herein directed the following be implemented immediately in Harare Metropolitan province in order to address the ongoing challenges on our roads:

All commuter omnibus operators to get valid rank permit that will allow them to operate from their designated bus ranks and withing operational times. The City of Harare will publish the designated official bus termini in the city. All passengers ought to respect and board their buses from these designated points;
A digital database of all commuter omnibus operators is to be implemented as part of the Local Authority Digital Systems (LADS). This will include digital payments collections of fines and fees whilst the Zimbabwe Republic Police shall utilise the system to verify the road worthiness of vehicles, outstanding warrants on drivers, outstanding warrants on drivers, outstanding tickets and any other listed offences of drivers. Phase two shall include all others motorists;
All unlicenced and unroadworthy vehicles to be impounded and compliance protocols to be enforced at operator’s cost. This include those operating with yellow plates and mushikashika;
All drivers guilty of reckless and dangerous driving are to be arrested on the spot and taken to court within the statutory of 48 hours. This includes those driving on oncoming traffic, driving on pavements and those who deliberately create additional lanes by encroaching cycle tracks and pedestrian walkways.
All vehicles which have fitted extra lighting that is not permitted by the law shall have their vehicles impounded. These include those who have installed blue, red, green, or yellow security and emergency reserved lights illegally on their vehicles.

The ZRP and the City of Harare shall from today launch joint operations to curb traffic jams at all major intersections during peak hours, whilst intersections with faulty traffic signals shall have full time deployments. We shall continue to engage all stakeholders to ensure that we promote a trafficable and safe environment for our citizens

This will include redesigning our entire traffic system in the city of Harare in order to support the ever growing vehicle population. Harare Metropolitan province has zero tolerance policy on lawlessness and corruption. We urge all drivers to respect the traffic laws of Zimbabwe and other motorists so as to avoid arrest and further inconveniences: Please stand guided accordingly. - Tafadzwa Muguti - Harare Provincial Affairs and Devolution secretary

Landscape restoration essential for Africa agriculture

Much of African land otherwise suitable for agriculture is nutrient deficient, which has financial and health implications for farmers and citizens.

Landscape restoration essential for African agriculture relies on collaboration and conservation. Fortunately, the industry can significantly benefit from using the proper methods.

Africa’s natural landscape needs restoration because its agriculture sector has local and global impacts on the economy and food security.

Land can’t support crops due to poor farming practices and natural wear.

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Although Africa loses 3% of its annual GDP because of soil and nutrient depletion, the agricultural industry could prevent it by restoring and maintaining farmland.

The loss of usable farmland has also led to issues between landowners because it causes financial strain and tension in communities.

Farmers must use landscape restoration methods to rebuild nutrients in the soil, improve relationships and strengthen their local economy.

Much African land is at risk of desertification because it doesn’t get proper nutrients or water, which puts the lifestyles of many citizens at risk.

It particularly threatens the agriculture industry because it relies on stable and functional land for production to contribute to the economy and food security.

Essential restoration practices involve resource optimization and conservation.

For example, water scarcity is a real issue around the continent.

Farmers should limit their water usage since it isn’t a readily available resource for much of Africa.

It’s crucial they tailor their methods to align with their specific land needs — nutrient and water increase — if they want to see results.

Dry farming is a practice that conserves natural resources while restoring soil integrity. It focuses on adding organic materials to improve soil moisture content and retention.

Farmers can plant ground cover or mix their livestock’s manure with their farmland. Some professionals estimate having an extra 1% increases absorption to 20 000 gallons per acre of soil.

The introduction of trees into agriculture also restores African landscapes in a significant way.

Farmer-managed natural regeneration focuses on the maintenance and renewal of trees to benefit soil fertility and increase resource yield.

Farmers in Niger use the technique to annually produce over 500,000 extra tons of cereals, which positively impacts their economy and food security. - The Farmer

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