Rupiah calls for efficient operations of the Chipata-Mchinji railway
By Ernest Chanda and Christopher Miti in Chipata
Sat 28 Aug. 2010, 15:10 CAT
PRESIDENT Rupiah Banda has appealed to Central and Eastern African Railways (CEAR) Limited of Malawi and Zambia Railways to ensure efficiency in the operations of the newly commissioned Chipata-Mchinji railway line. Commissioning the railway line in Chipata on Friday, President Banda warned that if there was no efficiency, it could discourage potential users.
“And therefore I wish to appeal to the operator Central and Eastern Africa Railways the managers of this railway to ensure that operations are done in an efficient manner with minimal delays in the transportation of goods and services. If efficiency erodes this service, it will discourage potential users of this huge investment,” President Banda said.
“Therefore, should you require any assistance or experience any difficulties in its operations you require interventions of our three governments, do not hesitate to consult us. It is indeed a wonderful occasion for me and other leaders in government and my colleagues from the ruling party, MMD we feel proud to conclude this task. We have concluded and now we will go forward to Katete and wherever until this rail line joins the rest of the country.”
The Chipata-Mchinji rail line project was initiated by the Kenneth Kaunda administration in the late 1970s.
Construction works were then started in 1983 and later abandoned in 1990.
However, late president Levy Mwanawasa revived the project in 2006, which he unfortunately didn't live to see completed.
Earlier in the day, communications and transport minister Professor Geoffrey Lungwangwa and his two counterparts from Malawi and Mozambique, Sidik Mia and Paulo Zucule respectively, signed a tripartite regional agreement on the Chipata-Mchinji railway line.
And Malawian President Professor Bingu wa Mutharika said the railway line was an important and historic milestone in the development of transport infrastructure between Zambia and Malawi.
He said the railway line was also a realisation of the Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA) and Southern African Development Community (SADC) programme of strengthening regional economic integration.
He said the railways in Malawi, Mozambique and Zambia played an important role in the economic development.
Prof Wa Mutharika thanked Dr Kenneth Kaunda the initiator of the Chipata-Mchinji railway project for his vision.
“Dr Kaunda sung a song called ‘Tiyende Pamodzi’ and in Malawi we also sing the same song. Today, we have to be together Zambia, Malawi and Mozambique we are moving together forward to development,” President Mutharika said.
He said both Zambia and Malawi were landlocked countries and as such the development of the infrastructure especially the railway was of vital importance to the development of the two countries and Mozambique.
“This railway line will also provide connectivity among the people of
Zambia and Malawi right to the Port of Nacara and also when the Zambezi-Shire Water ways project is completed Zambia will be linked to Beira and other ports. It is therefore expected that this initiative will enhance the transport capacity of the three countries and also help in the reduction of transport costs which is currently very high,” President Wa Mutharika said.
He said the project was in line with the Malawi road and development strategy under which transport infrastructure is accorded the highest priority.
“It is in this context that I would urge the members of the African Union to speed up the implementation of the programme for infrastructure development in Africa especially in utilising resources for the construction and rehabilitation of the existing ones as well as highways, waterways to link up the continent with the rest of the world,” President Mutharika said.
Mozambican transport minister Paulo Zucule said the commissioning of the railway line would help reduce poverty among the three countries.
“Hunger and thirst are difficult things, starvation and poverty must go forever and for good,” he said.
Zucule said the railway line would further improve economic development among Zambia, Malawi and Mozambique.
“Today, Zambia, Malawi and Mozambique have done one more significant thing to materialise the vision of the generation of our freedom fighters,” said Zucule.
The commissioning of the railway line attracted diplomats, traditional
leaders and other important dignitaries.
Labels: CENTRAL AND EAST AFRIVCAN RAILWAYS, CHIPATA-MCHINJI RAILWAY, RUPIAH BANDA
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‘Chipata-Mchinji rail line operations may take time’
By Christopher Miti in Chipata
Sat 12 Dec. 2009, 04:00 CAT
Eastern Province Chamber of Commerce and Industry (EPCCI) chairperson Timothy Nyirenda said it might take time to make the Chipata/Mchinji railway line operational.
In an interview after witnessing the arrival of the first train carrying ballast which used the Chipata/Mchinji railway line on Thursday, Nyirenda said there were a lot of things that needed to be done on the railway line.
“There is still a lot to be done on this railway line, there are some places which still needs ballast so there will be a train coming from Malawi that will be bringing this until the railway line is fully completed.
At the moment there is no dry port so government should find a place for this again we don't know a company that will be running this railway line. We don't know whether there is a line for this railway project in next yearís budget otherwise it might be operational in the next years to come,î Nyirenda said.
He said the government should also make a road that would lead to the dry port.
Nyirenda urged the business community in the province to take advantage of the railway line that was expected to start operating in the next three months.
He said he was hopeful that the government would find funds meant for the completion of the project.
Nyirenda said he was grateful to the Malawian and Mozambican governments for working closely with the Zambian government in ensuring that the project was successful.
Labels: CHIPATA-MCHINJI RAILWAY, TIMOTHY NYIRENDA
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A Locomotive train arrives in Chipata for the first time
Friday, December 11, 2009, 1:30
The first train carrying ballast stones for the completion of the Chipata/Mchinji railway project arrived in Chipata today to the excitement of residents that gathered to witness the laying of the stones on the railway track.
The first locomotive train to move on the Chipata/Mchinji railway, which has been under construction for the past 27 years, arrived in Chipata this afternoon.
There was excitement and jubilation among people of Chipata who gathered six kilometers from Mwami boarder, to witness the first working train, when it finally arrived carrying ballast stones for the completion of the Chipata/Mchinji project at 13:00 hours this afternoon.
Eastern Province Minister Isaac Banda, who was among the people who witness the first working train offload ballast stones said, once completed the Chipata/Mchinji railway line will uplift the socio-economic development of the country through enhanced trade between Zambia and Malawi.Mr Banda said this will be achieved through reduced transport costs.
He said the development will also contribute to government’s aspiration of wealth creation through sustained economic growth which he said is an important element in poverty reduction.
The Minister stated that this will further cement the already existing relationship between the two countries.
And speaking on behalf of Paramount chief Mpezeni of the Ngoni people, Chief Mnukwa advised the people of Eastern Province to take advantage of the Chipata/Mchinji railway line to boost their businesses with the forth coming cheaper means of transportation.
Chief Mnukwa urged the people of both countries to ensure that once completed, the project is well managed and generate resources to sustain its operations.
He said it was gratifying to see the project reach an advanced stage adding that this could only be attributed to the efforts of President Rupiah Banda and his Malawian counterpart Bingu Wamutharika.
Meanwhile, chief Mnukwa has said there is need for Zambians to support each other in the spirit of oneness if the country is to develop.
The traditional leader castigated some politicians engaged in inciting citizens to destabilize the nation.
Chief Mnukwa said chiefs in the region will continue to support the government of the day, regardless of where the president hails from.
He stated that the founding father of the nation Dr Kenneth Kaunda championed the slogan of one Zambia one Nation to promote unity among people from all tribes.
He assured President Banda that chiefs in Eastern province will continue to support his government as he mobilizes resources to develop the country.
And Regional Marketing Manager for Central and East African railways, Leckson Kalanje said Zambia, Malawi and Mozambique will boost their economic activities with cheaper transportation through the Nacala corridor.
Mr. Kalanje also encouraged people in Zambia and Malawi to make use of the railway line to boost their businesses.
Meanwhile, the Eastern Chamber of Commerce has urged government to speed up the acquisition of land for a dry port.
ECCPI chairperson Timothy Nyirenda said there is urgent need to construct a dry port that will be used for storage and transportation of heavy duty goods.
Mr. Nyirenda said it is necessary to put up a road that would be ideal for heavy duty cargo because the current one passes through a compound and may not be able to contain heavy duty vehicles once the railway line becomes fully operational.
ZANIS
Labels: CHIEF MNUKWA, CHIPATA, CHIPATA-MCHINJI RAILWAY, INFRASTRUCTURE, ISAAC BANDA, RAIL
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