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<\/a><\/p>\n30 December 2011<\/p>\n
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THE Government has directed two railway companies in the country to bolster their operations and ensure efficient services between Zambia and the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).<\/p>\n
Railway Systems of Zambia (RSZ) and the Tanzania-Zambia Railways Authority (TAZARA) should be more efficient and reliable in transporting various goods.<\/p>\n
Transport, Works, Supply and Communications Minister Yamfwa Mukanga said in an interview in Ndola on Wednesday that the two railway firms should improve operations to meet the rising demand in cargo volumes between the two countries.<\/p>\n
He said this shortly after a meeting with representatives from DRC and officials from Tazara and RSZ at the Copperbelt provincial administration office.<\/p>\n
Mr Mukanga said with increased production of maize, Zambia required a reliable railway system to transport the commodity to the DRC.<\/p>\n
“We want to ensure that there is enough capacity for the railway companies to be efficient especially transportation of goods between Zambia and the DRC,” he said.<\/p>\n
He said the Ndola meeting was called after a complaint from the DRC government over some wagons with goods that were marooned at Tazara Kapiri Mposhi station for almost year.<\/p>\n
The minister said the matter had been resolved and that both railway companies had shown commitment to working with their DRC counterparts.<\/p>\n
He said the meeting also agreed that the two governments would come up with a mechanism that would allow for smooth railway operations.<\/p>\n
Mr Mukanga said there were a number of wagons marooned in both countries and that with better cooperation, the problem would be resolved.<\/p>\n
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