PF govt cannot managed repossessed RSZ-Don

Thu, 13 Sep 2012 04:57:12 +0000

The Patriotic Front (PF) government cannot manage the repossessed Railway Systems of Zambia (RSZ) because it has no capacity to do so, says University of Zambia (UNZA) lecturer.

Dr. Cholwe Beyani a lecturer at UNZA in the School of Humanities and Social Sciences claimed that although the move was done in national interest, the PF government had no capacity and vision to recapitalize the freight company.

Dr. Beyani cited the failure by the PF government to re-capitalize Nitrogen Chemicals of Zambia (NCZ) as an ind9cator that it could not run the affairs of RSZ professionally and competently.

“I don’t have the confidence in President Sata’s government to recapitalize the Railways Systems of Zambia (RSZ) just like they have failed to re-capitalise the Nitrogen Chemicals of Zambia (NCZ),

“We have seen that this country has continued to import fertilizer despite government committing itself to keep NCZ in its armpits. It has failed to create a productive atmosphere, said Dr. Beyani.

Dr. Beyani said government should have extensively consulted before cancelling the RSZ concession.

He was of the opinion that government was creating more problems for itself instead of offering solutions to enhance dialogue through reaching consensus on issues of national importance, poverty reduction and unemployment the nation was experiencing.

“I think there should have been consultations before the move was taken. It is my hope that this move will not result in job losses for Zambians,” said Dr. Beyani.

The PF government terminated the concession agreement with RSZ and reaffirmed its commitment to making Zambia a destination conducive for genuine investment.

Finance Minister Alexander Chikwanda said government had decided to compulsorily acquire the Concession Rights that were granted to RSZ in 2003.

Mr. Chikwanda stated that government would ensure that the company complied with the country’s labour laws in relation to the welfare of employees adding that it would also meet suppliers, customers, and other stakeholders obligations.

Some of the inadequacies cited by government included abandonment of the inter-mine railway network resulting in heavy cargo moving by road.