GOVERNMENT has released K15 million to the Tanzania Zambia Railways Authority (TAZARA) in Mpika to pay workers’ salaries.
TAZARA Workers Union President, Bedwin Malowa expressed happiness that Government had fulfilled its promise and workers have since started receiving payment. Two weeks ago, former Cabinet Minister Chishimba Kambwili made a statement on behalf of government that funds would be released for TAZARA workers’ salaries.
Earlier, Mr Malowa urged Government to preserve late President Kenneth Kaunda’s legacy by saving TAZARA from collapsing.
He said the late President played a pivotal role in establishing the rail company.
Mr Malowa said there was need for Government involvement in the firm by injecting funds for recapitalisation to save it from collapsing.
“As a way of ensuring that KK’s legacy on TAZARA lives on, we would like as workers to see greater government involvement by way of injecting funds to recapitalise the institution which is facing sustainability challenges,” Mr Malowa said.
He said the institution was currently facing sustainability challenges and may collapse if nothing is done recapitalise it.
“As Workers Union of TAZARA we will remain deeply indebted to KK and his able leadership for the efforts they made which later culminated into the construction of TAZARA, which efforts meant creating more jobs for the people of Zambia and Tanzania currently working for TAZARA,” he said.
