NRFA To Handover Three Toll Gates On Lusaka-Ndola Dual Carriageway To Concessionaire

National Road Fund Agency (NRFA) has disclosed that it will on 30th November 2024, hand over three Toll Gates on the US$649.9 million Lusaka-Ndola Dual Carriageway to the Concessionaire.

Macro Ocean Investment Consortium (MOIC), is the Concessionaire that is upgrading the road to a dual carriage way under the Public Private Partnerships (PPPs), in line with the Concession agreement.

The Concession Agreement for the project was signed on 28th February 2023 with the Concessionaire, at a cost of US$649, 976, 167.

NRFA Public Relations Manager, Alphonsus Hamachila said the affected Toll gates are Katuba between Lusaka and Kabwe, Manyumbi between Kabwe and Kapiri Mposhi, as well as Kafulafuta between Kapiri Mposhi and Kabwe.

Mr. Hamachila stated that till fees collected from the three toll gates will be channeled into Escrow Account jointly controlled by government and the Concessionaire for the maintenance of the existing road until the Macro Ocean Investment Consortium completes the project and takes over full operations as well as maintenance of the new road.

He assured motorists that there will be disruption to tolling operations at the three Toll Gates, as all key toll features including the electronic card payment platform will still be in use.

Meanwhile, Mr. Hamachila revealed that the 127 affected staff have been given the option of separating with the Agency and be employed by the Concessionaire under new conditions of service or pursue their own interests outside the NRFA and Macro Ocean Investment Consortium.

“In line with Government’s policy of economic transformation and jon creation, the NRFA has put necessary measures to avoid job losses for the affected 127 staff at the three Toll Gates and has offered the employees the option of continuing in the employment of the Agency and be redeployed to other Toll Stations across the country,” Mr. Hamachila stated.

He added that the Agency will proceed to settle terminal benefits for all employees who will decide to separate from NRFA in line with applicable laws.

And Road Development Agency (RDA) Chief Communications and Corporate Affairs Manager, Anthony Mulowa revealed that the current progress on the Lusaka-Ndola Dual Carriageway project is at 13 percent, while 70 percent has been attained on the Masangano Fisenge-Luanshya road.

“The Concessionaire, Macro Ocean Investment Consortium is undertaking works simultaneously from four sections of the project, namely from Lusaka to Chibombo, Chibombo to Kapiri Mposhi, Kapiri Mposhi to Ndola, and Masangano-Fisenge-Luanshya Road.”

“In addition, two new Toll Plazas will be constructed, one on the Masangano-Fisenge-Luanshya Road, and the other between Chibombo and Kabwe. A new weighbridge will be also be constructed at Kafulafuta with the existing one at Kapiri Mposhi being upgraded,” Mr. Mulowa asserted.

He explained that the project, which also involves the rehabilitation of 45 kilometres of the Masangano-Fisenge-Luanshya Road and the construction of approximately 30 kilometres of bypasses in Kabwe and Kapiri-Mposhi has recorded tremendous progress from the time President Hakainde Hichilema officiated at a Groundbreaking Ceremony in Kapiri on 21st May 2024.

“The two Road Sector Agencies will continue to consult all stakeholders during this transition process and ensure the successful implementation of the PPP financing model which allows Government to free up public resources for other national priorities and needy areas whilst still enabling the development of the much-needed road infrastructure,” he added.