THE National Assembly has rejected a motion to enable local authorities to retain a percentage of toll revenue collected within their jurisdictions. The motion was moved by Chilubi PF MP Mulenga Fube and seconded by Kanchibiya PF MP Sunday Chanda, who argued that the motion was timely and necessary in advancing the decentralisation agenda and improving service delivery at the local level, adding that it would strengthen local government financing. Fube said allowing local authorities to retain a percentage of toll revenue would enable them to address immediate damage to road infrastructure within their jurisdictions. However, Acting Minister of Infrastructure, Housing and Urban Development Sylvia Masebo said the intent of the motion was appreciated, but the proposed approach risks creating...