News / National
Chiyangwa opposes Obert Mpofu on urban tolling
01 Oct 2013 at 10:44hrs | Views
Businessman Philip Chiyangwa says Obert Mpofu's idea of urban tolling will be a great inconvenience to the public.
"We have a lot of people driving ex-Japanese cars who are struggling to fuel their cars and surely that dollar or 50 cents will add to their woes.
"The current tollgates are rightfully placed and I do not see a reason why somebody would want to waste money on urban tollgates," he said.
Transport and Infrastructural Development Minister Obert Mpofu said Government was considering urban tolls as there was no convincing reason why they should not be established.
The idea, Mpofu said, was meant to raise funds to finance infrastructural development, decongest the cities and reduce carbon emissions.
Gweru town clerk Mr Godfrey Matau welcomed the idea, but said he was not sure how and when it would be implemented.
"Since the Minister said the plan is still in its preliminary stages, we are not sure how the ministry intends to implement it. As long as it will decongest our cities and raise revenue for us, it is most welcome," he said.
Some urban local authorities around the country said they were awaiting the actual proposal on paper because they do not know if this would be applicable in smaller towns.
Mutare Mayor Tatenda Nhamarare said his council would discuss the issue tomorrow.
"We operate with council resolutions and we are yet to meet as a new council to discuss our future projections, but we will include this issue on our agenda when we meet," he said.
Harare town planner Mr Percy Toriro said urban tolling was a welcome idea and if implemented well, could build a pool of funds for infrastructure development.
"This is a good idea and is globally acceptable. Urban tolling results in a huge capital injection and helps to improve our road network.
"What is however, critical is the siting of the tollgates and the tolling method to be used, be it manual, electronic or remote where cars are just-scanned and do not even stop at the tollgates".
Some motorists welcomed the idea, saying many a time they were inconvenienced by traffic jams in the city centre and would welcome any possible solution to this problem.
"We have a lot of people driving ex-Japanese cars who are struggling to fuel their cars and surely that dollar or 50 cents will add to their woes.
"The current tollgates are rightfully placed and I do not see a reason why somebody would want to waste money on urban tollgates," he said.
Transport and Infrastructural Development Minister Obert Mpofu said Government was considering urban tolls as there was no convincing reason why they should not be established.
The idea, Mpofu said, was meant to raise funds to finance infrastructural development, decongest the cities and reduce carbon emissions.
Gweru town clerk Mr Godfrey Matau welcomed the idea, but said he was not sure how and when it would be implemented.
"Since the Minister said the plan is still in its preliminary stages, we are not sure how the ministry intends to implement it. As long as it will decongest our cities and raise revenue for us, it is most welcome," he said.
Some urban local authorities around the country said they were awaiting the actual proposal on paper because they do not know if this would be applicable in smaller towns.
Mutare Mayor Tatenda Nhamarare said his council would discuss the issue tomorrow.
"We operate with council resolutions and we are yet to meet as a new council to discuss our future projections, but we will include this issue on our agenda when we meet," he said.
Harare town planner Mr Percy Toriro said urban tolling was a welcome idea and if implemented well, could build a pool of funds for infrastructure development.
"This is a good idea and is globally acceptable. Urban tolling results in a huge capital injection and helps to improve our road network.
"What is however, critical is the siting of the tollgates and the tolling method to be used, be it manual, electronic or remote where cars are just-scanned and do not even stop at the tollgates".
Some motorists welcomed the idea, saying many a time they were inconvenienced by traffic jams in the city centre and would welcome any possible solution to this problem.
Source - herald
