Infrastructure, Housing and Urban Development Minister, Hon. Eng. Charles Milupi has officially commissioned the newly constructed Abram Zayoni Mokola Toll Plaza located along the 45 kilometers Masangano-
Fisenge-Luanshya Road on the Copperbelt.
The toll plaza is part of the ongoing works to upgrade to dual carriageway the Lusaka-Ndola Road.
Hon. Eng. Milupi said during the commissioning of the toll facility yesterday that the Government had placed a high premium on the development of infrastructure such as roads because they played a fundamental role in the development of any nation.
“In addition to constructing new roads, the Government is prioritising the maintenance of existing road assets to preserve their value, ” he said.
Hon. Eng. Milupi noted that traffic volumes on Zambia’s core road network both from local and foreign vehicles had increased significantly over the years, exceeding the original design capacity.
This, he said, had led to accelerated deterioration of roads, necessitating routine and periodic maintenance.
He further pointed out that the collapse of the rail network over the years had forced heavy cargo, traditionally moved by rail, onto roads, creating tremendous strain and driving up maintenance costs.
“To address this challenge, the Ministry, through the Road Development Agency (RDA) and under the provisions of the Tolls Act No.14 of 2011, continues to implement the tolling programme to help fund the maintenance of the core road network,” he said.
Hon. Eng. Milupi also inspected the completed Masangano-Fisenge-Luanshya Road before commissioning the toll plaza.
He commended the quality of the rehabilitation works carried out as part of the Lusaka-Ndola Dual Carriageway Project.
Public-Private Partnership (PPP) Council Member, Mr. Muyunda Mukela reiterated that all PPP projects were guided by the principles of delivering them at the right cost, quality, and on time.
RDA Board Chairperson, Eng. Eugene Haazele expressed concern over the common challenge of maintaining new roads, which often leads to rapid deterioration.
Eng. Haazele noted that with the coming of the PPP Financing Model, this challenge would be addressed as the Concessionaire would maintain the road for 22 years, ensuring its longevity.
Meanwhile, speaking during the commissioning of the toll plaza, Eng. Haazele said the RDA would continue to implement the Government Policy of attracting private investors in the road sector.
He said from the time the Chingola-Kasumbalesa Road was rehabilitated under the PPP Financing Model, Zambia had recorded an increased appetite of the private sector partnering with the public sector to develop road infrastructure.
