Tollgate fee, major contributor to ZINARA revenue

By Nomagugu Konke

The Zimbabwe National Road Administration (ZINARA) collected revenue of about ZWL$ 868 billion for the year ended 31 December with the tollgate fee being the major contributor.

The total revenue was 13% more than against the revised budget of $768 billion and of this sum, ZINARA allocated more than ZW$ 500 Billion to commitments on roads.

Zinara’s Chief Executive officer, Nkosinathi Ncube, giving an update on the disbursement of funds said the organisation’s revenue came from 29 tollgates, license fees, and transit fees among other channels,

“The revenue mix comprised a 38% contribution from all 29 tolling points nationwide while licensing fees contributed 34% up from 30% in 2022. Fuel levies and transit fees contributed 15% and 11 respectively.

“Licensing revenue grew in the year owing to the various initiatives we have undertaken to improve access to licensing services by setting up licensing systems at tollgates, Central Vehicle Registry, and VID.

“This complemented by roadside enforcement operations and marketing promotions has improved licensing gradually and we anticipate continued growth in the current year,” he said.

He also said ZINARA committed 88% of collected revenue to road-related disbursements and direct collection costs.

“88% of collected cash went to road projects, this reserved 12% for the administration. The spilt has been possible through financial discipline and prudence in the management of costs across the board, ZWL$ 12 billion was disbursed to four road authorities.” He said.

Mr Ncube also said the e-tolling project is at an advanced stage.

“We are now at an advanced stage in the e-tolling project and expect to have the pilot project running before the end of the half of the year.

This exercise will also include upgrading six tolling sites from the current structures to toll plazas, with the introduction of the new toll fees structure, we are looking forward to improved revenue inflows,” he said.

ZINARA Board Chairperson Dr George Manyaya said ZWL$ 563 billion was channeled to road-related commitments.

“The responsibility of constructing new roads remains a perquisite of respective road authorities through their internal budgets.

“As we continue to fund these key road projects, I urge our esteemed councils, and road authorities to uphold the highest standards of quality,” he said.