The Zimbabwe Revenue Authority (ZIMRA) commissioned a state-of-the-art non-intrusive scanner at Chirundu One-Stop Border post (OSBP) on Monday 28 October 2013 in a development which will see improved revenue collection and the minimising of revenue leakages at the border post.

The occasion which was graced by the Guest of Honour Minister of Finance and Economic Development Honourable Patrick Chinamasa, Minister of Local Government, Public Works and National Housing Honourable Ignatius Chombo, and other Government official, also saw a multi-million dollar water reticulation system handed over to the town of Chirundu. The water reticulation system was financed by the Zimbabwe Revenue Authority.

Commissioner General Pasi said the installation of non-intrusive scanners had been delayed due to the harsh economic conditions that characterised the period between 2005 and 2009.

“The brief history is that these projects commenced in May 2005 but could not be completed in the original contract period due to the hyper-inflationary environment which then beset our economy. The project was suspended in 2008, and only started in 2010,” he said.

Mr Pasi said the use of these state-of-the-art scanners would go a long way in facilitating the movement of containerised and other bulk cargo through the border post, by increasing the number of consignments that receive Customs attention without causing undue delay.

He also said the scanners – which have got the capacity to scan 20 trucks per hour – will help in curbing illicit trade and drug trafficking as well as improving the working environment for both the clients and staff.

In his keynote address, the Guest of Honour, Honourable Patrick Chinamasa, expressed his satisfaction with what ZIMRA was doing as it sought to maximise on revenue collection.

“Exactly ten days ago, we were at Manica Container Depot in Harare receiving three mobile scanners that were donated by the People’s Republic of China. We also witnessed the pass out parade for ZIMRA officers in the Canine Unit. These two events enabled me as your Minister to appreciate the major strides that the Zimbabwe Revenue Authority, which is the Government’s arm for the collection of revenue, is taking in driving the Customs modernisation agenda,” said Minister Chinamasa who also thanked ZIMRA for its corporate social responsibility programmes which he said had transformed lives and communities at large.

Commissioner General Pasi expressed ZIMRA’s commitment to seeing an end to Chirundu’s water woes as these have discouraged investors from the border town.

“The anticipated economic trickle-down benefits are obvious as Chirundu is poised to grow tremendously within the next five years because of the investment attractiveness the town has established so far,” he said.

Minister Chinamasa handed over of the sewer ponds to Local Government, Public Works and National Housing Minister Ignatius Chombo who received the ponds on behalf of the Chirundu community. In his acceptance speech, Minister Chombo encouraged the Authority to keep on working towards sustainable and environmentally friendly developmental programmes. He also referred to ZIMRA’s housing projects which he said were a major stride in the country’s National Housing Programme.

ZIMRA Web site

For information on ZIMRA matters visit their website www.zimra.co.zw