Railway construction project to start next year – Mushimba

Tue, 20 Feb 2018 11:27:59 +0000

By ALFRED TEMBO

CONSTRUCTION of a railway line linking Zambia and Mozambique expected to cost US$2.3 billion is to commence next year. Minister of Transport and Communication, Brian Mushimba told the Daily Nation that although government signed a contract with China for $2.3 billion whose financer is China Export-Import Bank, construction would commence upon funds being released.

“We started this whole process, a year ago and we are still a year away from concluding the negotiations on the funding part,” Mr Mushimba said.

Mr. Mushimba said an envi- ronmental assessment report for the railway project that would go along the Zambian interior to Nakara Port in Mozambique had since been concluded.

He said government would revamp all four modes of transport namely road, air, water and rail to improve efficiency in Zambia’s transport industry.

“Our ministry is supporting revamping of rail transport as it has seen opportunities to unlock investment prospects for several other sectors of the economy from mining, manufacturing and agriculture among others, Mr. Mushimba explained.