Operators of semi-collective passenger vehicles went to the Metropolitan Transport Agency (AMT) yesterday to demand compensation as part of the relief for operating costs.

The hauliers affiliated to the Mozambican Federation of Road Hauliers' Associations (FEMATRO) told the press that the issue is the delay in the payment of six months' compensation, one of which is for 2022 and five for the current year.

They are aggravated by the situation and say they have lost trust with the president of the AMT. They also say that if the problem isn't resolved there could be an increase in the fare of 7 meticais above what is currently charged.

In the meantime, the chairman of the AMT Board of Directors, António Matos, explained that the compensation was for two months, May and June, and that the payment process would begin this Friday.

"It wasn't FEMATRO that was here, but some semi-collective passenger carriers, because we have shared all the necessary information with the federation and we even had a meeting scheduled for tomorrow (today) to clarify how we will make the payments," Matos clarified.

He added that the chapeiros are also demanding an increase in the amount of compensation. However, the AMT clarified that the money is calculated according to the fuel tariff and not the cost of living.

"In the case of Maputo city, we already have the database and we're going to go ahead with the payments. All that remains is for us to work with the municipalities at national level to provide the data," he said.

Meanwhile, the Deputy Minister of Transport and Communications, Amilton Alissone, assured that the government has already made the money available to compensate the carriers for their operating costs.