News / National
Zimbabwe toll gate fees looted
18 May 2012 at 11:34hrs | Views
Transport Minister Nicholas Goche has accused local government authorities countrywide of "stealing" toll gates fees meant for rehabilitation of country's road network.
"Recently ZINARA allocated funds to several city, town and rural district councils authorities countrywide, but I know very well that these local authorities are diverting these funds. In some cases it is being used to pay for salaries for council workers. So people should stop blaming ZINARA on why the roads are not being upgraded, but should blame their local authorities who are not using these funds wisely," Goche told Radio VOP.
Goche also admitted that "most Zimbabwe roads are still in very bad conditions and his Ministry is now looking for new methods for distributing of toll gate fees".
Toll gates were introduced in August 2009 as a way of mobilising resources for the rehabilitation and maintenance of the country's road network.
Small vehicle road users pay US$1 to cross the tollgates, while drivers of buses and lorries pay $5. Motorbike and cyclists do not pay anything.
According to official government estimates, the tollgates are raising $350 000 per week.
"Recently ZINARA allocated funds to several city, town and rural district councils authorities countrywide, but I know very well that these local authorities are diverting these funds. In some cases it is being used to pay for salaries for council workers. So people should stop blaming ZINARA on why the roads are not being upgraded, but should blame their local authorities who are not using these funds wisely," Goche told Radio VOP.
Goche also admitted that "most Zimbabwe roads are still in very bad conditions and his Ministry is now looking for new methods for distributing of toll gate fees".
Toll gates were introduced in August 2009 as a way of mobilising resources for the rehabilitation and maintenance of the country's road network.
Small vehicle road users pay US$1 to cross the tollgates, while drivers of buses and lorries pay $5. Motorbike and cyclists do not pay anything.
According to official government estimates, the tollgates are raising $350 000 per week.
Source - Radio VOP
