According to the Zambia Minister of Transport, Supply, Works and Communications, Yamfwa Mukanga, the government of Zambia is committed to supporting and restoring the Tanzania Zambia Railway (TAZARA) and ensure that it is once again fully operational.
In a recent meeting with Zhao Zhongning, Vice President of China Civil Engineering Construction Corporation (CCECC), Hon. Mukanga explained that the government is committed to the rehabilitation of the Zambian railway, which plays an important role in the country’s development and regional relations.
In the 1970’s, the CCECC was responsible for surveying and constructing the TAZARA and, according to its Vice President, they are aware that the Chinese government is prepared to participate in its reconstruction.
Given the importance of TAZARA, Hon. Mukanga indicated that the government is eager to ensure that the railway line remains viable and is connected and interlinked to many parts of the country
“It is the desire of the Government to ensure that TAZARA improves its operations and it would be illogical for Zambia to let the railway firm collapse because there are a lot of logistical challenges which need the services of TAZARA,” he said.
Over the course of the past year, nearly USD 80 million in funds has been released by the governments of Zambia and Tanzania to reconstruct and rebuild their joint railway.
