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Minister Obert Mpofu

Prosper Ndlovu Business Editor
THE National Railways of Zimbabwe (NRZ) will this week submit its turnaround strategy to Cabinet to pave way for the rehabilitation of the ailing parastatal, board chairman Alvord Mabena has said.

NRZ board, management and workers met Transport and Infrastructural Development Minister Obert Mpofu in Bulawayo on Friday and discussed a number of strategies regarding the revival of the company.

The government has said it was close to sealing a recapitalisation deal to the tune of between $450 to $700 million for the parastatal to regain its status.

“It was one of our consultative meetings where we update each other on the state of the organisation as representatives of workers, management, the board and the major shareholder, which is the government,” said Mabena.

“We had a detailed briefing and got a clear understanding of all the issues. We agreed that NRZ can’t continue to function in the state that it is in.”

Mabena said the parastatal had come up with comprehensive measures to bring it back to its feet.

“We’ve a turnaround programme that we’ve to submit to Cabinet next week or so whose contents I can’t disclose now until it’s approved.

“What I can say is that the programme deals with all aspects of NRZ and projects that we’re working on the ground towards reviving the company,” he said.

Mabena emphasised that NRZ’s revival, a key player in the transport industry and the largest employer at its peak with up to 15,000 workers, required collective effort and implored different stakeholders to play their role to achieve quick recovery.

He said management and the board were concerned about the welfare of workers who were owed substantial amounts in unpaid salaries running for several months.

“We’re committed to working together to bring a new NRZ and the programme we’ve crafted will enable us to turnaround the organisation,” said Mabena.

He also said the meeting discussed the appointment of a new general manager and vacant directors’ posts, which he said would be filled soon.

Mabena said candidates had been shortlisted and were ready for interviews, adding the process would be completed “soon”.

Minister Mpofu confirmed attending the meeting and referred further questions to Mabena.

“Yes the meeting took place but you can talk to Mabena for comment,” he said.