By Rungano Dzikira

In a move meant to ensure timely distribution of revenue and enhance efficiency, the Zimbabwe National Roads Administration (ZINARA) has adopted the integrated point of sale (IPOS) system for its road administration.

This move, which was facilitated by local systems solutions company, Univern Enterprises, seeks to facilitate real time split of revenue between the two entities, posting revenue collections to various cost centres, and improve accountability in dealing with payment systems.

Commenting on this move, ZINARA board chairperson, Michael Madanha applauded the initiative adding that this move would generally save time and improve the Road Fund Administrators mandate.

“The IPOS enables clients a one-stop service in the acquisition of the services offered by ZINARA. It is integrated to vehicle licensing, tolling and Cross Border Management Systems,” he said.

Before the introduction of the IPOS, ZINARA used to receive revenue collection at the end of the month following a reconciliation process between the former and Univern.

“The revenue collected was then held in a transitory account before being split. During this period, issues of maintenance caused delays in revenue, thereby affecting the fulfilment of the Road Fund Administrators mandate,” he added.

The above systems are provided for under the Public Private Partnership (PPP), where Univern invests in their development for a concession period of 10 years starting 2012. ZINARA uses these systems and pay for the provision of such over this concession period.

In this regard, ZINARA splits its revenue collected from vehicle licensing, Tolling and Cross Border Management, paying a commission of 18.5%, 12.5% and 15.8% respectively to Univern.

The commission caters for the development and maintenance of the system and for acquiring the system before handing over to ZINARA at the expiry of the concession period in 2022.