NRFA LAUNCHES E-TOLL CARD
Since inception, the Electronic Toll platform has been an efficient and secure way of accessing Toll Stations through the use of the Electronic Toll Cards which are embedded with Near Field Communication (NFC) technology for motorists to make cashless payments.
It was officially launched on the 4th November, 2018 at Michael Chilufya Sata Toll Plaza by His Excellency the Republican President of Zambia Mr. Edgar Chagwa Lungu. The Electronic Toll platform has attracted numerous road users and most transporters across the country.
It is for this reason that Dr Martine Mtonga, Coordinator for Smart Zambia Institute flanked by Mr. Kennedy Musonda, Accountant General, recently launched the roll out of the national wide electronic system at Michael Chilufya Sata Toll Gate between Ndola and Kitwe.
Speaking during the launch, Dr. Mtonga said the cashless system will significantly reduce suspected queries of pilfering cash and allow government to access the funds on time unlike in the past when officers were first supposed to go to the bank to deposit the funds collected.
He said that the electronic card transaction will promote efficiency and lessen any attempts of corruption and cash management especially with the Covid-19 pandemic.
“This , electronic payment system has a lot of advantages in comparison to traditional cash services, and we are still working on improving the service so that we can make it more efficient, whereby one can pay at one toll station in advance for all the toll stations they will be passing in that particular trip,” he said.
Dr. Mtonga noted that the card will very soon have a chip that will enable it to be picked by any toll station without the motorist having to stop and process payments, he said that this will reduce on time spent by motorist at a particular toll station.
And National Road Fund Agency Director/Chief Executive Officer, Eng. Wallace Mumba said over 9000 E-Toll cards were already in circulation with 24 percent payment being made from the cashless payment platform.
“As an Agency our aim is to aggressively pursue the increase of toll collections on its cashless Electronic Tolling platform by 60% to improve efficiency and cash management,” he said.
Eng. Mumba said that toll Cards could be obtained from Wilson Mofya Chakulya, Enock Kavindele, Michael Chilufya Sata, Kafulafuta, Manyumbi, Katuba, Humphrey Mulemba, Chilonga, Mumbwa, Daniel Munkombwe and Chongwe Toll Gates.