By STELLA SIMUTOWE –
THE Road Transport and Safety Agency (RTSA) has extended to February 14 this year the grace period for the payment of road tax and displaying of insurance and security discs.
RTSA has also extended the grace period for the payment of road service licences and identity certificates.
The initial grace period ran from January 1 to 31 and now has been extended by another 14 days until February 14.
RTSA chief executive officer Zindaba Soko said the Government, through RTSA, extended by 14 days to the earlier grace period of one month to be effective from February 1 to February 14.
Mr Soko said this was to allow the Government to finalise the revocation of Statutory Instrument Number 41 (SI 41) on road user fines and fees.
“All motorists and PSV operators have been given an extension of up to February 14 to pay for the required licences and Statutory Instrument 33 (SI 33) on the mandatory display of insurance and security discs of motor vehicles,” Mr Soko said.
He said there would be no enforcement of validity of the documents until the end of the extended grace period.
Meanwhile, Mr Soko said RTSA would launch a new online system before the end of the first quarter of 2016 to enhance the operations of the Agency as part of improving service delivery and attainment of an efficient and safer road transport system in the country.
The electronic Zambia Transport Information System (e-ZAMTIS) has taken into consideration all business processes of RTSA and has extended business functions to online service delivery.
“The system will operate as a decentralised system, enabling services to be accessed quicker by members of the public in respective provinces and districts,” Mr Soko said.
He said e-ZAMITS would have different e-payment methods and would be used as a tool to enhance productivity and effective administration of road transport in the country.