TRANSPORT minister Joel Biggie Matiza has claimed that the National Railways of Zimbabwe (NRZ) was supposed to take delivery of 100 wagons from Russia in January, but the consignment has been delayed by COVID-19 outbreak.

Matiza made the claims in Bulawayo yesterday during the signing ceremony of a memorandum of understanding (MoU) between the NRZ and Lupane State University.

Addressing guests at the ceremony, Matiza said NRZ expected 100 wagons from Russia in January at a cost of US$10 million, but the delivery was disturbed by the COVID-19 outbreak.

Speaking on the domestic transport issue, Matiza said the COVID-19 outbreak scuttled most production works in the country, also prompting the temporary stoppage of commuter train services.

“As you recognise that most of the production stopped because of COVID-19, the commuter train that is not cancelled is going on as soon as the lockdown eases regulations,” Matiza said, adding that the commuter train was one of the NRZ’s major businesses and could not be overlooked.