Road Tolling in double boost

The Economics Association of Zambia (EAZ) and Engineering Institute of Zambia (EIZ) has commended the National Road Fund Agency for upholding excellence in the Road Tolling Programme operations and service delivery.

EAZ President Lubinda Habaazoka said the association is happy with the synergies and models the agency had created in mobilizing resources beyond the traditional means of resource mobilization such as the Napsa Loan Agreement that has facilitated the construction of various tollgates and roads that are critical to the country’s economy.

Dr. Haabazoka said the association is confident that the investment in the National Road Tolling Programme is justifiable as evidenced by the impact the programme has had on infrastructure development and further commended the agency for employing smart ways of collecting revenues such as the Electronic Toll Collection System in order to reduce cash transactions prone to manipulation.

He urged the NRFA to expedite the commissioning of toll stations across the country in order to facilitate road infrastructure development critical to the country’s economy.

And EIZ President Eng. Sydney Matamwandi said it was commendable that the agency had put in place systems and controls to safeguard revenues collected at toll stations, such as the centralized monitoring of all toll operations across the country through the established Control Centre at NRFA Head Office connected through  Wide Area Network provided by ZAMTEL.

The two institutions who were on a joint facility tour of the Shimabala Toll Plaza in Kafue, also undertook a tour of the Control Centre before heading out to tour the Shimabala Toll Plaza in Kafue.

And NRFA Director/CEO Eng. Wallece Mumba said the tour was essential to enhance the continued partnership that exists between the two institutions and the agency as it remains committed to effective Resource Mobilization through various innovative strategies, Fiduciary Management of Resources to ensure Accountability and Transparency and the promotion of Value for Money as the agency aspires to be A Sustainable Road Fund.

The NRFA earlier this year opened up its toll stations to various stakeholders to enable them to get a better understanding of the operations of the agency and the Road Tolling Programme in particular. Aside from this, the agency is an ardent believer of strategic partnerships that fuel growth and expansion in its quest to proactively mobilise resources and effectively manage and administer the road fund in a transparent and sustainable way to ensure value for money and stimulate socio-economic development.