HIKED TRANSPORT FEES IRK CONTRACTORS

THE opening of toll gates by Government is a good move and it should not be abused by some selfish individuals, says stakeholders in the construction sector in Kasama.

Several stakeholders in the construction sector in Kasama have complained bitterly on the rise of transportation costs of building materials by local transporters.

Mr Cosmas Phiri, who spoke on behalf of the the group told the Daily Nation that transportation charges for building materials which initially used to range between K300 and K600 have now risen to between K400 and K700 respectively.

Mr Phiri said that the fees have been hiked unfairly by transporters even if they are only paying K20 and below at toll gates which is a very minimal amount.

"I'm appealing to the government to quickly intervene as the hiked prices are not only affecting the stakeholders from the construction sector but also affecting individuals who are constructing their houses," he said.

Meanwhile, Kasama Chamber of Commerce secretary Boniface Sambo has since promised to intervene with the Kasama Transportation Association once investigations are concluded in this matter.

And efforts to reach Kasama chamber of commerce chairperson proved futile by press time.

Recently, the government opened toll gates in Kasama at Kalense village along the Kasama-Luwingu road and another along Kasama-Mbala road.