THE National Railways of Zimbabwe (NRZ) recently launched a tracking software system in an effort to enhance operational efficiency.

In an interview, NRZ public relations manager Mr Fanuel Masikati said the project will afford the national carrier’s customers convenience of online tracking of cargo on its website.

“The new service brought much relief to customers, who have been yearning for a package with a high degree of consistency and predictability in the conveyance of bulk consignments,” Masikati said.

“Customers can now bid farewell to long periods of anxiety and anticipation for the delivery of their cargo.”

Tracking of customers’ cargo was done through the carriers’ customer service units (CSU) and regional marketing managers only in Harare, Bulawayo and Gweru.

Masikati said the new railway service allows customers to track their consignments and enables customers to precisely plan for dispatches and receipt of their consignments.

“NRZ recognises that a real change of focus is needed as meeting the demands of the market has become an urgent priority,” he said.

“At the same time, the NRZ is aiming to meet new regional objectives and conquer new frontiers in the regional context.”

Masikati said the national carrier is not only providing a unique service with style, but it has adopted an ‘all things to all people’ strategy in serving the wide spectrum of the economy and the community. 

He said this strategy is critical in shaping the future as well as increasing business agility.

“An ICT strategy enables staff to carry out business functions through modern processes, streamlined to remove duplication, maximise efficiency and support business change,” said Masikati.

The railway carrier, said Masikati, is poised to grow by recapturing lost traffic and winning new customers, as well as satisfying their transport needs, although a major push is still needed to unleash its full potential.

NRZ moves coal to Bulawayo, Munyati and Harare Power stations, a move that is assisting the nation to fuel its industries.

Some of the coal which the NRZ is moving is also destined for the export markets, as well as the farming and industrial sectors.

In addition, the NRZ also transports cement to local and export markets among other commodities that are currently being moved every week such as, fertiliser, wheat, acid, fuel, sugarcane and maize. 

The NRZ, which has a network stretching over 2 760-route kilometres, last year moved 3,7 million tonnes of goods against a target of six million tonnes.

This year the parastatal is again targeting to move six million tonnes.