The volume of revenue from tolls has fallen in Inhambane province, southern Mozambique, due to the use of escape routes by some motorists.
In the first half of this year, 100 million meticals (1,565,736.42 US dollars) were collected at the four tolls installed in Inhambane, namely Save, Mapinhane, Malova and Nhacundela, compared to nearly 176 million (2,755,696.10 dollars) in the same period last year.
According to Inês Ernesto, from the Roads Fund in Inhambane, quoted by Rádio Moçambique, at the Malova and Mapinhane tolls, some hauliers bypass the charging stations with the help of the local population.
The toll rates vary between 50 (the US dollar costs 63.8 meticals) and 1000 meticals, but the lorry drivers mainly use the detours and pay 300 meticals to some of the owners of the land through which they bypass the collection points.
Inês Ernesto said that the institution is aware of the situation and has been working with the local authorities to help prevent motorists from bypassing the tolls.
In fact, she said, even the police have been called to intervene, but when they leave, the parallel tolls start operating again, making competition.
Inês Ernesto said that paying tolls is important because the money collected helps to improve access roads, especially the National Road Number One, where around 60 kilometres have already been repaired on the stretch between Chissibuca and Lindela.
AIM