By Peggy Gutinyu

The Chinese Government will soon start a robust project to revamp the TAZARA railway line corridor to make it a viable carrier of economic goods.  Chinese Ambassador to Zambia Du Xiaohui disclosed this in an interview with Zambia News and Information Services in Mpika shortly after touring the TAZARA workshops in the district. Ambassador Du said China will help re-activate the Tazara, emerging at the back of a meeting that the Chinese Government had with the Zambian authorities last month, in July. “On July 17, 2023, the Chinese Government had a meeting with the Minister of Transport and Central Province Minister in Kapiri Mposhi over China re-activating TAZARA,” Mr Du said. Ambassador Du further said that China has for years now, had a mutual relationship with Zambia, a spirit that must be carried forward. The Chinese Envoy noted that once revamped, the local people in Mpika and Zambia as a whole will be able to benefit. He disclosed that the revamping of TAZARA will start as soon as possible once all formalities are completed.

And Mpika District Commissioner David Siame says once revived, TAZARA will create jobs and help develop the country. Mr Siame added that the Mpika District Administration and Zambia as a whole are honoured to have the Chinese Government come to the aid of the country. “We are very happy because we know that it is going to bear fruits very soon and our people will have jobs,” Mr Siame said.

And TAZARA Regional General Manager Kambani Ndhlobvu has expressed happiness that finally the pronunciations are coming to pass. Mr Ndhlobvu said that the revamping of TAZARA means a lot to the company as it has been going through difficult times. “We will be able to move more traffic and more passengers once TAZARA is revamped,” he said.

Earlier during a courtesy call on Muchinga Minister Henry Sikazwe, Ambassador Du said that the Chinese Embassy will revamp TAZARA with a view of attracting Chinese investment in the mining and agriculture sectors in Muchinga.

ZANIS/ENDS/PG……..DRY