Manyau: When will Govt import disability-friendly buses?
Senator Nasper Manyau has quizzed the government over the importation of disability-friendly buses, as the country battles a transport crisis.
Zimbabwe is currently facing transport challenges since the decision by President Emmerson Mnangagwa to ban kombis at the height of Covid-19 in 2020.
The move exposed the transport situation which has seen people spending many hours waiting for Zupco buses.
To try and avert the situation, the government has been importing buses for the struggling parastatal Zupco.
However, all the buses that have been imported have steps that make them not disability-friendly, especially to people who are in wheelchairs.
This prompted Senator Manyau who is also a disability activist to quiz the government over its plans for persons with disabilities.
‘’Thank you, Mr. President. My question is directed to the Minister of Transport and Infrastructural Development. We see buses that are being bought in the country have steps but there are no facilities for disabled people to either embark/disembark from those buses.
‘’ What is Government’s plan to address that problem that the disabled people are facing? Thank you,’’ she said.
Answering the question, Justice Minister Ziyambi Ziyambi promised to talk to the Minister of Transport on the issue.
‘’Thank you, Mr. President. I would like to thank the Honourable Senator for that important question.
‘’If you look at our disability policy, it says that all constructions or buildings should have facilities or ramps for people with disabilities to access them easily. I really got the question on buses.
‘’I will talk to the Minister of Transport to say, yes you are bringing in a lot of buses but you are forgetting the plight of people with disabilities. They are supposed to facilitate easy access for people with disabilities and it should be in line with the policies that we launched as the Government,’’ he said.
Manyau: When will Govt import disability-friendly buses?
