Toyota Zambia, RSZ sign K7.6bn deal

Toyota Zambia, RSZ sign K7.6bn deal
By Kelvin Tembo
Saturday March 08, 2008 [03:00]

RAILWAY Systems of Zambia (RSZ) has signed a K7.6 billion deal with Toyota Zambia to procure utility vehicles to improve its operations. RSZ chief executive officer Benjamin Evens revealed this at the handover of newly acquired vehicles at Lusaka RSZ offices on Thursday. Evens said the company was committed to investing in its operations.

“The company is ready to revive the country’s railway transport sector through a direct cash investment to improve operations of the company,” Evens said.

He said the company had procured a fleet of brand new motor vehicles in form of light trucks and delivery vans from Toyota Zambia at K7.6 billion.

Evens said management had released an initial 16 vans at a cost of K1.52 billion which would be distributed to various railway stations along the line of rail.

“The vehicles are not for managers but specifically for improving the company’s operations, including rolling stock infrastructure as well as its service delivery,” Evens said.

And RSZ corporate affairs executive manager Charles Phiri said re-investment in equipment, motor vehicles and the recent rehabilitation of the passenger coaches would revive the railway transport sector.

Phiri also complained that the increasing levels of vandalism were hindering development for the company.

He called on members of the public to guard against vandalism to help the company improve its service delivery.