By BUUMBA CHIMBULU
OVER US$25 million is this year projected to be realised from transportation of cargo by the Zambia Railways Limited (ZRL).
The parastatal company has projected to transport more than one million tonnes of cargo this year valued at over US$25 million.
The company in 2020 managed to move 1,020,115 tonnes of cargo, according to ZRL Managing Director, Christopher Musonda.
Mr Musonda stated that the tonnage was valued at K405 million, demonstrating its commitment to delivering higher tonnages this year.
He said this performance was commendable especially that ZRL last achieved a performance of above one million tonnes in 2006, which is 14 years ago.
“I would like to congratulate the employees for the 2020 freight performance of over one million tonnes achieved. I therefore, take this opportunity to appreciate your contribution to this historical performance in the midst of challenges,” he said. Mr Musonda said the company was able to achieve positive results despite the challenges of rolling stock, rail line requiring major uplift and the on-going spread of Covid-19 pandemic.
He said ZRL was optimistic that it would be able to move 1,180,900 tonnes of cargo valued at US25,604,609 this year.
“It is therefore, my expectation that the bar has been raised and we shall not relax but continue working hard to maintain the performance and do better starting with 2021 and beyond,” he said.
