Ailing Zimbabwe parastatal seeks redemption

State-owned National Railways of Zimbabwe (NRZ) has requested to be the sole transporter of maize the government plans to import from Zambia.

Online news site, Logistics Update Africa,  reported that the government planned to import about 700 000 tonnes of maize to cater for deficits as a result of a poor harvest last season.

The ailing parastatal’s acting general manger Lewis Mukwada reportedly told delegates at the Zimbabwe Food Conference and Expo in Bulawayo on Friday that the quasi-government institution was efficient enough to transport maize from Zambia.

“We have been moving maize for the Grain Marketing Board - especially in the southern part of the country - and I believe we can play a bigger role in the importation of maize from Zambia,” he said.