K44 million needed for Zambia Railways retirees

Tue, 04 Jul 2017 09:59:10 +0000

By ROGERS KALERO.

MORE THAN K44million is to be spent on paying Zambia Railways retirees of 1992, 1995 and 1998,  Transport and Communication Minister Brian Mushimba has said.

 The minister said after a protracted number of meetings between the retirees and the Zambia Railways management, it was resolved that money should be found to pay the retirees who have been suffering for a long time.

Mr Mushimba was speaking at the on-going Zambia International Trade Fair after meeting with the management of  the rail company.

Mr Mushimba, who is also Kankoyo Member of Parliament, said government had been concerned at the welfare of the former Zambia Railways.

The minister also disclosed that plans were under way to have public airline. He said it was illogical for government to be constructing modern airports for foreign planes only.

‘It doesn’t make sense for the government to be constructing airports for foreign planes. We should come up with a local public airline. So, plans are under way to put up a local public airline,’’ he said.

He said the construction of roads, airports and upgrading of some airstrips was a clear indication of government’s commitment to improving the air and road network.  He said a good road network was vital for economic recovery and national development as it would ease the transportation of both goods and people from one place to the other.  “As a government, we are talking about diversification into agriculture, tourism and other sectors. So, you can’t talk about tourism and agriculture without good roads and modern airports,” he said. “The issue of ZR retirees has taken long to resolve because each group had issues different to their colleagues while other issues were taken to court. There were groups from 1992, 1995 and 1998. So it took long to resolve, but as a caring government, we made sure that the issues should be put to rest. So, K44 million is to be spent on paying the Zambia Railways for 1992, 1995 and 1998,’’Mr Mushimba said.  And Mr Mushimba has said government was setting the stage for economic recovery through road and other infrastructure.