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Govt Takes Over Railways
Government has finally announced its compulsory acquisition of the concession rights that were granted to the Railway Systems of Zambia (RSZ) Limited.
Finance Minister, Alexander Chikwanda, made the disclosure when he addressed the nation on the National Broadcaster saying the compulsory acquisition of the concession rights has been necessitated by the consistence of RSZ acting in a manner prejudicial to the interests of the Zambians.
Mr Chikwanda said the compulsory acquisition of the concession rights has been done due to high unacceptable levels of derailments, loss of life and property.
He stated that the decision has been arrived at in accordance with cabinet’s mandate to safeguard the interest of the people of Zambia, adding that to this effect Zambia Railways Limited takes over the operations and management of the railway network which was the subject of the concession Agreement in 2003.
The Finance Minister cited mismanagement of the Zambia Railways infrastructure and the rolling stock which in turn led to the deterioration of the Zambia Railways assets and resultant loss to the country as a whole.
Mr Chikwanda further noted that government observed, among other concerns, that the objectives of the concession had not been met and such as the exorbitant railway transport costs as compared to road transport which had for some time now led to non utilization of rail transportation.
He assured that government remains determined to safeguard the safety and interest in the country%u2019s railway sector and to ensure sustainability for the Zambian people.
The minister explained that government is committed to ensuring that there are sustainable and cost effective measures in place to manage the railway infrastructure.
Posted by Editor
on September 10, 2012. Filed under LATEST NEWS.
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umuzombiki
September 10, 2012 at 6:39 pm
like it will ever improve…!
mwine zambia
September 10, 2012 at 6:43 pm
aleast save us 4rm this shame twalisebana ZR was day best in africa but was reduced w zero eyeeeee pravatisation twachula
gunda
September 10, 2012 at 6:46 pm
E boom!
The genius
September 10, 2012 at 7:06 pm
Woooooooooooooooooooo i like it, go go PF
mosquito
September 10, 2012 at 7:31 pm
Thats the way, government at work no joks allowed the company was on its knees rivive it and creat more employement even kabwe worriors is assured of sponsorship
jay jay
September 10, 2012 at 7:31 pm
This has been long overdue and as KK said the MMD destroyed all the companies that UNIP made.
I would now like to urge the goverment to come up with laws to stop transporation of goods such as copper concencetrates,mining equipmentMaize,Vehicles etc by road.This will promote railway transport and protect our roads.The Njanji commuter as well the passenger trains should be introduced as this will reduce road accidents as well…
Dunlop.Kapiri glass,Colgate Palmolive should all be revisted
Jey
September 10, 2012 at 7:40 pm
It was long overdue, RSZ has failed us. How do u shift the HQ of ZR to Lusaka, sale all scrap to SA, Kanshi PF ilabomba, Go GO foward.
Dk planet
September 10, 2012 at 9:06 pm
This is what we call serious business
Shameless
September 10, 2012 at 9:33 pm
That’s the way. We’ve to rejuvinate Zambia railway7 passenger and goods train. Rail transport is a very profitable business but alas it has been mismanaged. That’s a step in the right direction PF.
Steve Rush
September 10, 2012 at 9:36 pm
I see light at the end of the tunnel for Kabwe town and their only team KWFC
mgzone
September 10, 2012 at 11:34 pm
perhaps that’s when the mulobezi train will improve. it is quite depressing to call it a train.
Free Zambians
September 11, 2012 at 5:48 am
Way to go PF its never too late we can do something to the rail line look at RSA they have the best rail system in southern Africa. Let’s improve our rail system, it will easy traffic on the route to Copperbelt.
kapuli wa ng'ongo
September 11, 2012 at 5:53 am
THIS WOULD MEAN THAT ALL HOUSES BUILT ON THE RAILWAY LINE BETWEEN CHAWAMA AND LILAYI WILL BE DEMOLISHED
kakolwe
September 11, 2012 at 6:05 am
Once upon a time Sichinga sung about copper finished products & went to sleep. I hope this bright move has a plan of improving the railway system in Zm. Hope its not just to make a ‘Kakolwe’ as GM!!
Kaps
September 11, 2012 at 6:38 am
Kwashala aba menshi ba kapoli kuba poka nabena………
Nico
September 11, 2012 at 7:54 am
We are united on this one. RSZ has failed Zambia, but we should know it’s not just a take over. This is a breach of contract on government part and RSZ will be compensated by the Zambian government with a lot of money. Unfortunately this is the gospel truth that Zambians are never told. We will pay for this just like we will pay for ZAMTEL.
Tribalist
September 11, 2012 at 7:59 am
Shaaaaaaame to those that are saying that the PF is not working come and see for yourselves. we are seeing the light at the end of the turnnel and a very bright one. Let them tribaling as we are working. Im a tonga but I see no future in you wooooooo.
why are you voting for UPND, I want a Tonga to rule, foolishlynesstick,even if he is a Rich big
fool.
joseph Mwenya
September 11, 2012 at 8:23 am
Tell the Kajarajacks not make any silly comments about the Govt’s. grabing the defucnt railway firm from them. The unprofessional Karajacks shold be told in uncertain terms to bring back the steel and timber railways sleepers they have sold as scraps.They should not complain because they have had their shares from scraps they have been selling.
The move is fully supported.However the Govt should curtail it’s beucuractic tendences in reviving the vandalised railway system
bexx
September 11, 2012 at 8:40 am
Its long overdue…Viva PF.
chaona
September 11, 2012 at 8:43 am
This is a good move and long overdue. I hope Zambia Railways will start operating again like the days of ZCCM-KK where copper and other heavy goods will no longer use the road network theredy reducing pressure on our roads and curb these killer RTAs.
Francis Mwansa
September 11, 2012 at 9:00 am
shame on you UPND….
FAXMAN
September 11, 2012 at 9:02 am
THATS A GREAT MOVE. VIVA PF
REASONING
September 11, 2012 at 9:15 am
PIPO ARE EXCITED ABOUT THE MOVE BT NO ONE IS IMAGINING THE CONSIQUENCIES AFTER TYM. TARAZA WAS THE SAME THINGS, IT WAS THE MOST VALUABLE TRANSPORT BUT TODAY IT IS THE WASTE TRANSPORT ANYONE CAN THINK OF USNG. THE GOVERNMENT IS FAILING TO MAINTAIN THE INFRUSRACTURES THAT WE HAV E.G COLLEGES AND UNIVERSITIES STUDENTS ARE COPMPLAINING OF SHORTAGES OF HOSTELS AND LACK OF CLEAN WATER E.T.C SO HW CAN THEY MANAGE TO MAINTAIN OR REINOVATE AN EXPENSIVE THING LYK A RAILWAY. PF HS GUD STRATEGIES OF BRINGING BCK THE LOST BT THE QUESTION IS:HAV THEY BUDGETED FOR THE REINOVATIONS OF THE RAILWAY COZ I’M SEEING THEM GETTING LOANS SOMWHERE FROM THE PIPO THEY ARE CHASING. PF LETS NOT MAKE DECISIONS FOR POLITICAL INTEREST BUT FOR DEVELOPMENT SAKE.
YANG CHU SIYAMBIZI
September 11, 2012 at 9:58 am
GOOD MOVE 2B KOMENDED 4.
KIP IT UP BA PF!
ABAKONZI
September 11, 2012 at 10:33 am
To the naked eye Sata will be seen to be doing nothing but to the analytical eye what the man is trying to do is rebuild the foundation upon which future presidents will build our economy.Zambias economy has been damaged and it will take a lot of effort to repair it.Hope we find a better investor for ZR ltd
NATO
September 11, 2012 at 11:13 am
I miss the Express Passenger Train.
jane
September 11, 2012 at 11:17 am
RUn HH run the pf boat is about to catch up with u. Very soon ur assets will be affected. Read the situation carefully and take cover bfore its too late. We are a performing govt as PF and will leave no stone unturned.
sam
September 11, 2012 at 11:20 am
I am not sure which one did better ZR or RSZ? I want to observe also that TAZARA is not doing very fine too, especially with passenger trains.If govt will improve, I have not problem them getting RSZ.
September 11
September 11, 2012 at 11:32 am
Good move PF Gov’t. We do what is in us, and why it is in us, that is also a secret. “Cry, the beloved country, for the unborn child that is the inheritor of our fear.”
Ben
September 11, 2012 at 11:53 am
This is good i see my vote now working let the GRZ now pass a law that will ban transportation of mining products and other heavy heavy heavy goods by road in this way rail system will improve and i see it coming soon
Chosen
September 11, 2012 at 12:28 pm
Reasoning uli shilu, would you leave you house to your tentant because its run down and there are costs involved to repair it or you would evict them before its completely destroyed? Foolish reasoning.
DNICE
September 11, 2012 at 12:37 pm
may be just may be there will be an improvement in the rail ways systems in this beautiful country. no national air line, no national coach network, no national railway network. For God’s sake, can the government now do something about this. atleast aim to have one of the three.
REASONING
September 11, 2012 at 1:18 pm
CHOSEN, I’M NOT SEEING SENSE IN YO WORDS, LEARN TO THINK BEYOND WHAT U R SEING, U SIM TO BE A DANDA HEAD. WHAT WE R TOKING ABUT IS THE ISSUE OF MANAGING THE ZR WHEN WE ARE FAILIN TO MAINTAIN THE EXISTING ONES BY OURSELVS,I SUPPORT THE GOVNMENT OF THE DAY BUT I OPPOSE UNPLANNED DECISIONS THAT CAN LEAD US NO WHERE. LET US MANAGE TAZARA FIRST THEN WE CAN TOK ABUT ZR, TAZARA IS FINISHING SLOWLY AND NO 1 IS MAKING THAT OBSERVATION AND WE R HERE CEREBRATING.
Mafukeni Mutondo
September 11, 2012 at 1:20 pm
This is a serious government, ZR was the most reliable transport covering Southern Province. Trust UPND will not condemn this move.
I can see a future for our children bieng revived now.
Further, government must issue an SI on usage of road transport. Every day we see about 400 foreign trucks entering or leaving Zambia. Let`s put this to an end. Shippers must maximize usage of rail. It will create much needediemployment as it was in the past, further,it will reduce transportation cost and hence more money in our pockets. Long Live Sata, Long Live PF.
The Elder
September 11, 2012 at 1:27 pm
Only a fool will be against this good move.Bt watch this space for the new Managing director;-)
The Elder
September 11, 2012 at 1:45 pm
Thats one of the very many good descision our govt has made.It has the support of the majority of zambians.i jst need to educate smeone above to get his geography correct b4 passing unpalatable and sarcastic innuendos to us southerners over the railline!ba mwene,the rail line jst cut across the province and serves less thn 5% of the population.so we never relied on it as you said . We shouldnt dilute this positive move with any warped up tribal mentality.KUDO’S PF u are a pragmatic govt.
mutale
September 11, 2012 at 1:55 pm
Luitumezi ahulu bo SATA. Cwale lukupa kuli muuise Head Quarters kwa Kabwe.
Didi
September 11, 2012 at 2:54 pm
more jobs for Zambians
Didi
September 11, 2012 at 2:55 pm
Next please…………..Zambia Airways
Ken
September 11, 2012 at 3:31 pm
@REASONING- TAZARA CANNOT OPERATE PROFITABLY WHEN ZR OPERATIONS ARE CONCESSIONED TO CROOKS. There should a transfer possibility of rail cargo from Tazara into a viable and efficient ZR. Short of this, TARAZA is doomed. THINK IWE MWAICE.
viva
September 11, 2012 at 3:42 pm
Viva Viva PF work work.
Baambile banyumfwe
September 11, 2012 at 6:16 pm
Good as long as you bring back the HQ to KABWE, NOT ANYWHERE ELSE!
james t m
September 11, 2012 at 8:12 pm
I CAN SEE THAT MY VOTE IS WORK VERY WELL AND IT KEEP IT UP WITH THE SAME SPIRIT THUS THE REASON WE VOTED FOR YOU GUYZ
teyos.com
September 11, 2012 at 8:40 pm
pf at work
chishimba
September 11, 2012 at 9:48 pm
Our go is to save the interests of our people and nothing will be allowed to stop us from doing that. this so called investor has been doing all he can just to ensure more money in his pocket even if it means selling our assets as scrap they never cared these are not the only ones their are many and we know them soon they will visited as well that said we do not mean we are anti true investors not at all.
Russell Mwenya Phiri
September 11, 2012 at 10:20 pm
We thank the almighty God that this decision has finally been reached, we hope to start all over again and rebuild our lost company the times we spent on the trains, our memories are still fresh.Gods time is the best time
likaki nyau nyau
September 12, 2012 at 5:48 am
I HAD REPORTED TO BOTH ZR AND RSZ THAT OUR RAILWAY LINE WAS BEING VANDALISED AND SHOWED THEM PICTURES OF RAILWAY SECTIONS WHERE STONE AGGREGATES UNDER THE RAILS WERE REMOVED FOR USE ON MAKING STRIP FOUNDATIONS FOR ILLEGALLY CONSTRUCTED HOUSES ALONG THE LINE IN CHAWAMA AND LILAYI. THEY DID NOTHING…I HAVE ALL THESE PICTURES BUT NOT SURE HOW I CAN PASTE THEM ON TUMFWEKO. AS I WRITE MOST ILLEGAL HOUSES BUILT ON THE RAILWAY LINE BETWEEN CHAWANA AND LILAYI ARE ALMOST COMPLETE AND OCCUPIED YET THEY ARE JUST 10m FROM THE RAILS AND IN BETWEEN THE ZESCO 66,000 VOLTS HIGH TENSION TRANSMISSION LINES!
IF ANYONE HAD THE EMSIL SDD. FOR THE MINUSTRR IF TRSNSPORT ABF COMM
likaki nyau nyau
September 12, 2012 at 5:54 am
….If anyone has email address for Minister of Transport and Chawama MP let me know
MWALITU GONGA BA SATA
September 12, 2012 at 6:46 am
This is COOL,but like BBBEEE in SA ,make Zambian the same .Unless there is no zambian who can do the work ,then only can you bring a foreigner.PLEASE
umu zedian
September 12, 2012 at 9:21 am
our ubuteko has failed to manage zesco, muikilapo na yenangu ma companies. it’s so embarrassing, after the PF’s term in office we shall discover how our country has gone down. Nothing productive will take place.