Bulk transport puts Zambian roads under pressure

Zambian road authorities, media and freight forwarders are lobbying to compel importers and exporters of heavy equipment and minerals such as copper to use rail transport and alleviate the impact on road infrastructure. The Zambian government’s expenditure on the maintenance of road infrastructure rose 75% last year due to an increased number of heavy duty trucks, according to a statement from the Zambia Freight Forwarders’ Association (AFFA), which supports the move to rail. An opinion piece in The Times of Zambia quotes ZAFFA chairperson, Emmanuel Mutale, as saying that a road tax should also be implemented for foreign and local road transporters. The daily newspaper notes that sustainable roads are key to national development and a thriving economy and has suggested that the National Road Toll Act be “fully implemented” to ensure toll gates are constructed throughout Zambia’s 17 busy roads. CAPTION Maintenance costs on Zambian roads are escalating as more bulk transporters travel through the country.