Govt lauds Zambia Railway workers

Government has praised Zambia Railways Limited workers for their positive spirit of creativity and innovation in making the company self-sustainable.

Zambia Railway Workers have locally manufactured tippler wagons at a cost of at a cost of US$45,000 that will be used to haul minerals from mines.

Transport, Works, Supply and Communications Minister Yamfwa Mukanga said Zambia Railways workers have demonstrated true spirit of government’s vision of making the railway firm their own company.

He said government stands ready to give Zambia Railways all the support it needs so that the railway industry grows and becomes a vehicle for the country’s economic development.

Mr Mukanga said this in a speech read on his behalf by his deputy Panji Kaunda during the official commissioning of Tippler wagons at Zambia Railway’s main workshop in Kabwe today.

Mr Mukanga said the wagons will alleviate the challenges the company has been facing in transporting minerals from mines using the normal hopper wagons.

And Zambia Railways Chief Executive Officer Muyenga Atanga said the determination of the workers in manufacturing the Tippler wagons is in line with government’s policy of making the Railway firm a force to reckon with in the sub region.

Professor Atanga also said the Zambia Railways workshop in Kabwe has now officially been transformed into the Zambia Railways Engineering Services Division..

He appealed to the workers not to relent in their discharge of duty and urged them to exhibit high levels of determination towards work.

Professor Atanga disclosed that the Tippler wagons were manufactured locally at a cost of US$45,000 and that Zambia Railways Limited would have spent US$100,000 if they had to import from abroad.