(3 minutes read)
Stakeholders in the underperforming railway sector have demanded that Zambia Railways Limited (ZRL) management come out with an explanation as to how the railways were still underperforming, even after a US$120 million Eurobond was injected into the company.
Stakeholders said a US$120 million Eurobond was injected to revive operations at Zambia Railways Limited between 2012 and 2013. But to date, nothing much has changed, and wanted the government to conduct an inquiry to know what really happened. The US$120 million Eurobond was given to Zambia Railways to undertake the rehabilitation of the track, purchase of locomotives, and purchase of wagons.
Sources indicate that 90% of the goods and passengers are moved by road and the railways account only for a meager 10 percent, putting a lot of pressure on the roads. The state of the track right now is worrisome as there are no short to medium or long-term measures in place to revamp them.
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The state of roads, because of the crowding up of traffic has become deplorable and they are prone to accidents. The alternative – the railway system- which is more economic, has been continuing as a laggard. Sources point out that while other African countries have invested and upgraded to electric trains, Zambia does not seem to have a clear plan of action in this area
