By Mulenga Banda
On the sidelines of the Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week (ADSW), the Zambian President, Hakainde Hichilema has held discussions with the management of the Etihad Rail Company which is mandated to manage the development, construction and operation of the UAE’s National Freight and Passenger Railway Network.
The President said Zambian’s rundown and outdated Railway Network needs a lasting solution that meets the aspirations of our envisaged Economic Transformation Agenda.
“Zambia needs a modern Rail Network that will carry the bulk of our cargo and also reduce pressure on our roads where we are currently spending enormous amounts of money on construction and maintenance.
“Our ultimate goal is not only to rehabilitate the existing network, but to also add more rail tracks to augment usage and optimise capacity in cargo and passenger freight”, he said.
