The Executive made it known this Tuesday, April 22, after another session of the Council of Ministers, that it is working to find a solution so that toll tariffs are adopted in a way that satisfies all parties (users and concessionaires).
According to the session spokesperson, Salim Valá, setting new tariffs does not depend solely on the Government, but also on other partners. “Studies are being developed, and teams are working on the matter, since this issue concerns more than just the State.”
Valá, who is also the Minister of Planning and Development, emphasized the need to “find a point of balance so that the various actors can also have a say in the dialogue, ensuring a lasting solution and fewer future conflicts.” Last week, the Mozambique Road Network (Revimo), the company responsible for the construction, maintenance, and operation of several national roads, announced the resumption of toll collection, highlighting that this would begin gradually, with frequent users receiving discounts of 60% for light vehicles and 75% for semi-collective transports.
The decision to resume toll collection had been previously announced by Revimo on January 25, but it sparked widespread public outrage. Protests against the decision and even road blockages, such as at the Katembe bridge toll, caused disruptions to traffic.
At the same time, Trans African Concessions (TRAC), responsible for National Road Number Four (N4), also announced the resumption of toll collection on January 23, which also led to popular protests. On January 29, demonstrators blocked access to the N4 to Maputo, resulting in the vandalization of TRAC facilities and the destruction of vehicles.
For about six months, the toll collection for vehicles on the main roads of the country has been suspended due to the vandalization of its infrastructure during the post-election protests, which resulted in over 300 deaths during clashes between civilians and the police.
As a result of these protests, Revimo suspended the contracts of 1,380 employees after several toll booths were destroyed during the demonstrations. The company, which has incurred losses of 655 million meticals, saw 12 of its 16 tolls nationwide become inoperative due to acts of vandalism during the protests.
