By Staff Writer
THE exorbitant passport and tollgate fees hikes tabled by Treasury during the 2024 National Budget presentation recently is likely to be rejected in parliament following a public outcry after stakeholder consultations.
Presenting the outcomes of the Post 2024 National Budget presentation in parliament this week, Hon Clemence Chiduwa who chairs the Portfolio Committee on Budget, Finance and Investment Promotion said there was a loud outcry over the recently announced measures.
“Proposal to increase both ordinary and emergency fees by US$80 to US$200 and US$300 respectively. From the Stakeholder consultation we gathered that the Zimbabwean Passport is one of the highest priced passports in the region.
“The Committee notes that this increase could negatively impact the accessibility to documentation by the poor,” he said.
Chiduwa said stakeholders recommended that the price of the ordinary passport stay as is at US$120 for ordinary passports and then retain the proposed increases for other passports.
“It was also recommended that Zimbabwe should adopt a Business E-Passport which will target Business people who are frequent travelers.
“The passport will have 64 pages which is more than the current ordinary passport and will essentially give an added advantage to frequent travelers who by their nature have the means to pay for the cost of such a passport,” he said.
He said the same passport will be extended to truck drivers whose cost of obtaining the passport will be borne by their employers while giving them the advantage of traveling longer without having to renew their passports.
“In this regard, government can charge as much as US$300 per passport with the revenue being channeled to development programs,” said Chiduwa.
He underscored that stakeholders were also of the view that the value of premium road is undeniable at a toll fee ranging between US$4 and US$20.
The infrastructure drive as alluded to be critical to build the economy but the concern is on the magnitude of the increase of up to 250%.The proposed toll fees are too steep and not in line with the drive towards improvement of movement of goods and services espoused by the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).
“For example, a haulage vehicle will fork out US$250, a bus US$100 while a light motor vehicle will require US$50 for toll fees. This resultant increase in transport costs will inevitably be passed on to the consumer. Stakeholders proposed an increase of 50%,” he said.
