Und schon wieder ....
Harare — GOVERNMENT has temporarily shelved the collection of toll fees at Zimbabwe's entry ports and major roads to allow for further consultations and the construction of the requisite infrastructure.
Collection of toll fees was expected to commence this Friday following the gazetting of the fees last week, but in an interview yesterday, Transport, Communication and Infrastructure Development Minister Nicholas Goche said the toll fees that were gazetted are yet to be tabled before the Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs for approval.
\"We felt the regulating authority had rushed into causing the gazetting of toll fees before the Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs had approved them. The fees will therefore be brought before the committee for further discussion, recommendations and approval of the fee levels.
\"The committee is also expected to finalise sites for the construction of toll gates as well as give advice on the programme. The decision is also cognisant of the fact that it would be unethical for Government to start charging the toll fees when it has not finished repairing roads,\" he said.
Minister Goche said he expected the country's three road authorities -- Department of Roads, the District Development Fund and local authorities -- to complete patching potholes and other road repairs soon.
\"The authorities are being resourced to undertake the work and only after the completion of road repairs and the erection of rudimentary toll gates would charging of toll fees commence,\" Minister Goche said.
He said the Government felt the fees were a bit high and would soon work on a viable fee model.
Last week, Government had authorised Zimra to start levying and collecting toll fees at every entry port and on the city-to-city trunk road network beginning this Friday.
Only Government vehicles, those registered by or carrying a diplomat, belonging to the fire brigade, ambulance, and Zimra were exempted from the fees.
Quelle - allafrica 
