MINISTER of Finance Dr Bwalya Ng’andu has told Parliament that as at July 2020, over K4.7 billion was collected in toll revenue, from inception.

And Dr Ng’andu says over K700 million has been raised from July 2020 to present.

The Finance Minister was speaking in Parliament on Thursday during questions for oral answer.

Mufulira PF member of parliament Evans Chibanda asked him, among other questions, what the total number of toll plazas was as of July, 2020 countrywide and how much revenue was collected as toll fees from inception to July, 2020.

In response, Dr Ng’andu said as at July 2020, there were 25 operational inland toll stations and 10 ports of entry, bringing the total number of toll collection points in the country to 35.

He added that five additional inland toll stations had since been constructed and operationalised between September 2020 and January 2021.

“As at July 2020, there were 25 operational inland toll stations and 10 ports of entry, bringing the total number of toll collection points in the country to 35. The toll stations are broken down as follows; five on the Copperbelt, four in Central Province, two in Lusaka Province, three in Sourthen Province, one in Muchinga, one in North-Western Province, three in Northern Province, three in Luapula Province and three in Western Province. The House may also wish to note that five additional inland toll stations have since been constructed and operationalised between September 2020 and January 2021,” Dr Ng’andu said.

“With the commencement of tolling operations at George Kunda state counsel tolling station in Mkushi and Kebby Musokotwane toll station in Livingstone, tolling operations at Kapiri Mposhi weigh bridge and Livingstone weigh bridge seized and migrated to the new toll stations. The Kazungula weigh bridge which was also a toll collection point is currently closed for maintenance bringing the number of operational inland toll stations to 27.”

And Dr Ng’andu said as at July 2020, a total of over K4.7 billion was collected in toll revenue from inception.

He also said from July 2020 to present, K777 million had been raised so far.

“As at July 2020, a total amount of K4,756,000,000 was collected in toll revenue from inception. The year by year breakdown is as follows; 2014 K297,000,000; 2015 K428,000,000; 2016 K465,000,000; 2017 K668,000,000; in 2018 K909,000,000; and 2019 K1,212,000,000. From July 2020 to present we have so far raised K777 million,” said Dr Ng’andu.

Meanwhile, the Finance Minister said that currently, toll fees paid by foreign registered vehicles at ports of entry were collected in foreign currency (US dollars), while inland tolls were payable in local currency.