Maravi

TAZARA turning around is a difficult process, says Aka

TAZARA turning around is a difficult process, says Aka
By Isaac Zulu in Kapiri Mposhi
Tue 21 Sep. 2010, 08:30 CAT

TAZARA managing director Akashambatwa Mbikusita-Lewanika says the turnaround of the railway company’s operations is a difficult process.

Briefing Southern African Development Community SADC diplomats accredited to Zambia in Kapiri Mposhi on Saturday, Mbikusita-Lewanika observed that turning TAZARA around could be an easy and short-term event but needed radical transformation.

“Railway transportation progressively decreased in dominance during the economic regression and the debt crisis visited countries in Southern, Central and East Africa - a regression that only began to be reversed on the eve of the turn of the century,” said Mbikusita-Lewanika.

“This background gives two messages. The first is that turning around TAZARA cannot be an easy and short-term event, but a difficult progress of radical transformation.

The second is that turning around TAZARA is not something out of this world - it is not impossible. For this turnaround to be complete, it has to be driven by full responsibility and full commitment based on full knowledge of full challenge and full vision of TAZARA, on the part of the managers and workers.”

Mbikusita-Lewanika said for that turnaround to fulfill TAZARA’s mandate, it had to lead to establishing rail as the dominant transport for heavy, bulky and long distance destined cargo in terms of volume, value and vitality.

“This should be for both internal distribution and export - import trade, in addition to being a significant mode of transportation of passengers. This is the vision of the management team and work force,” said Mbikusita-Lewanika.

Labels: AKASHAMBATWA MBIKUSITA-LEWANIKA, INFRASTRUCTURE, RAIL, TAZARA

posted by MrK @ 5:46 PM