Roads Fund sets aside K2.5 billion for road rehab

By Wezzie Gausi

The Roads Fund Administration (RFA) has said it has committed K2.5 billion to the rehabilitation of the tolled M1 stretch between Ntcheu District and Lilongwe City.

This comes at a time the institution has collected K784,375,089 million from Chingeni Toll Plaza in Ntcheu District and Kalinyeke Toll Gate in Dedza District since the facilities were opened.

RFA spokesperson Masauko Ngwaluko said rehabilitation works would commence soon.

He said money collected from tollgates was for operations, wear and tear.

“We are planning to start rehabilitation works using money that has been collected from the tollgates.

“Of course, the anticipated revenue from the tollgates will be lower, by almost 40 percent, than the estimated annual target due to the significant reduction in gate fees,” Ngwaluko said.

Recently, the Public Accounts Committee of Parliament (Pac) queried RFA officials for planting two toll gates in one road stretch of the M1 road.

Pac Chairperson Shadric Namalomba said the committee wanted to know the rationale behind having two toll gates in one stretch of the road, arguing that only road users travelling on one stretch of road were subjected to the fees.

According to RFA, the toll gates are expected to boost revenue collection by 15 percent, translating into K16.2 billion annually.