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Diana Nherera Herald Reporter
The installation of tollgates in urban areas seeks to decongest all urban centres and improve services available in the areas where they will have been installed.

Transport and Infrastructural Development Minister Obert Mpofu said this yesterday while responding to a question without notice in the National Assembly from Mutasa South legislator Cde Irene Zindi (zanu-pf) on the motivation guiding the proposal to establish the tollgates.

“The Ministry of Transport and Infrastructure Development is guided by the need to decongest all urban centres and the improvement of services where tollgates have been installed,” said Minister Mpofu.

Answering a different question, Tourism and Hospitality Industry Minister Walter Mzembi said his ministry would negotiate with residents for them to offer accommodation to delegates attending the International Conference on Aids and STIs in Africa (ICASA) scheduled for December this year.

He was responding to a question without notice by National Assembly member (proportional representation) Dr Ruth Labode (MDC) on the progress that has been made by his Ministry with regards to the ICASA conference.

“About 5 000 to 8 000 delegates are expected to attend the ICASA conference, so it is a large number and soon the Ministry of Tourism and Hospitality would have to negotiate with Zimbabwean citizens for them to accommodate the delegates,” said Minister Mzembi.

“Food suppliers in Harare would also benefit from the conference as they would be required to feed the thousands attending the conference.”

Minister Mzembi said hosting ICASA was a milestone as the event would bring a spotlight on the country on issues pertaining to HIV/Aids, and achievements that have been made.

Answering a question on roadblocks, Home Affairs Deputy Minister Ziyambi Ziyambi said they would ensure that police officers had adequate equipment at road blocks.

This was after Buhera West legislator Cde Oliver Mandipaka (zanu-pf) had asked what Government policy was on replenishing roadblock equipment, particularly at night, as police risked being run over by vehicles.

Deputy Minister Ziyambi said his ministry was aware that police officers did not have adequate equipment and was looking into the issue.

The National Assembly’s question time was yesterday cut short due to the absence of most ministers in the House.

This led Kuwadzana East legislator Mr Nelson Chamisa to raise concern on their continued absence.

Concern was also raised last week about ministers absenting themselves during question time or arriving late.

“Only two ministers were punctual today and nowhere in the world do you see ministers absenting themselves as it would amount to contempt of Parliament,” said Mr Chamisa.

In response, zanu-pf chief whip Cde Joram Gumbo said he had a list of ministers who were absent and the reasons they failed to attend Parliament.