Roads Fund Administration projects K4 billion revenue from toll gates
Roads Fund Administration (RFA) has said it projects to be raking in about K4 billion per annum from Kalinyeke and Chingeni toll gates once construction works are through.
RFA spokesperson Masauko Mngwaluko said this on Saturday during a media tour of Chingeni Toll Gate Plaza construction site.
Speaking to journalists in the presence of GK & Burton and Plem Construction officials, who have been working with RFA in the project, he said office works were “almost done”.
The offices include centre manager, secretary, shift supervisor, observation, porte corchere, entrance lobby, utility, meeting, Information Communication and Technology rooms, among others.
“When works at Chingeni Toll Gate Plaza and Kalinyeke Toll Gate are over, we project to be getting K4 billion at the two toll gates per year. From Chingeni, we expect at least K2 billion a year. As such, we are putting in place incentives to ensure frequent users, for example, get 75 percent discount. We also plan to use local users’ discount for those who stay within a radius of 10 kilometres from this area,” Mngwaluko said.
Chingeni Toll Gate Plaza is on the M1 Road and will have five lanes— two lanes for motor vehicle drivers from Blantyre and two for those driving from Lilongwe— with the fifth lane being reserved for abnormal vehicles. These are vehicles that carry construction vehicles and other heavy, purpose-built vehicles.
“In addition, there will be five booths and we will be able to monitor whatever is happening here from headquarters. This place will have police all year-round. It will also have three sources of power: Solar, gen set and hydro-electric power. This is because we do not want to cause congestion,” he said.
A toll road is also known as a turnpike or tollway.
Last month, RFA Board of Directors Chairperson Kester Kaphaizi said construction works at Chingeni were expected to end by end June, in time for full operations by mid July this year.
He said toll gates would broaden RFA’s revenue collection base.
“The main function of RFA is to raise funds for maintenance and rehabilitation of roads in the country but, as things stand, the revenue we collect through fuel levy can only cater for about 50 percent of road maintenance and rehabilitation total requirements. We need more resources to do our job effectively.
“We expect increased revenue once Chingeni Toll Gate Plaza are operational,” he said.
Malawi will have its first turnpikes when construction works at completed at Chingeni Toll Gate Plaza and Kalinyeke Toll Gate sites.
