'Northwest Rail project to go ahead'

'Northwest Rail project to go ahead'
By Namakau Nalumango
Monday April 14, 2008 [04:00]

NORTHWEST Rail (NWR) is to commence construction of the rail line within 30 days following President Mwanawasa’s order, company chairman Enoch Kavindele has said. In an interview, Kavindele, who is also former vice-president, said most of the equipment for the project was on site.

“It’s an order, so we’ll be on site to commence the earthworks. Most of the equipment for the project is available,” he said. “I should think that Cecil Rhodes was able to build a rail line from Cape to Chililabombwe using human labour without machinery.”

Kavindele hoped that the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) which was submitted on March 26, 2008 would be approved within the 30 days period.

Kavindele said President Mwanawasa was of the view that the public-private partnership be encouraged because it was not always that the government had money.