‘Chapas’ in Maputo and Matola to hold prices pending agreement on fuel subsidies with government

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‘Chapas’ in Maputo and Matola to hold prices pending agreement on fuel subsidies with government

12:50 CAT | 05 Oct 2016

Noticias

Maputo and Matola passenger carriers will continue to operate normally while their associations negotiate tariff adjustments and fuel subsidies with the government.

The guarantee was provided yesterday by Castigo Nhamane, president of the Mozambican Federation of Road Transporters (FEMATRO), speaking at the end of a meeting with Maputo city and provincial institutions, councilors of both cities and representatives of the Ministry of Transport and Communications.

Nhamane said that everything is being done for the negotiations to be concluded this month. Operators hope to be compensated for November operations under the terms of any agreement they achieve with the executive.

Addressing carriers, Nhamane said it was not worth striking and that it was better to go on working while negotiations took place. He also explained that compensation would continue to be paid only to properly licensed carriers operating in urban centers who complied with their tax obligations.

Those involved in transport between district and provinces must discuss subsidies with local governments, since so far only urban transport is benefiting.

John Matlombe, Councilor for Transport and Traffic in Maputo, said that carriers must organize themselves into cooperatives to benefit from the new corridors grant scheme.

A trial is running from February in the Museu and Baixa-Zimpeto areas with 50 vehicles the government has allocated to the Cooperativa de Transportadores do Corredor 1 (COOTRAC 1).

Questioned in Heroes’ Square yesterday, Prime Minister Carlos Agostinho do Rosario reaffirmed that the government would continue to subsidise fuel for urban minibus carriers.

“We commit ourselves to compensating that are licensed carriers for the difference between the current price and an increase,” he said, adding that “we will work with those who are not licensed to help them achieve legal status”.

Source: Noticias