The Petroleum Transporters Association of Zambia (PTAZ) has raised concerns over an impending toll fee increase at the Konkola Toll Plaza, warning that the hike will lead to higher prices for consumers. According to information gathered by Phoenix News, the Turbo Ka-Chin consortium, which operates the toll plaza, plans to increase toll fees for trucks from the current K1,250 to K1,550.
Association Secretary General Benson Tembo has called for clarification regarding the reasons behind the toll fee increase. He has urged both the government and the concessionaire to provide an explanation for the price adjustment, speculating that the increase could be linked to fluctuations in the exchange rate. This is because the concession agreement was signed in US dollars, while toll fees are collected in kwacha. Tembo expressed concern that stakeholders have not been given access to the terms of the concession agreement, preventing a thorough understanding of the rationale for such changes.
Mr. Tembo also highlighted that the toll gate and the road between Chingola and Kasumbalesa fall under the management of the concessionaire, not the government. This raises questions about transparency and the potential impact on the wider transport sector.
The SADC Truck Drivers’ Association president, Eugene Ndhlovu, has also criticized the toll fee increase, describing it as exorbitant. Ndhlovu warned that the additional costs would ultimately be passed on to consumers, much like previous price hikes in petroleum products and fuel, which already include transportation costs. This, he said, would lead to higher prices for goods and services that rely on transporters.
As the toll fee increase looms, stakeholders in the transport sector are calling for greater transparency and a clearer understanding of the reasons behind these changes, with concerns about the economic ripple effects on the general public.
