By KASONDE KASONDE –
ZAMBIA Railways Limited (ZRL) and Congo National Railways of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) have entered into a business agreement to increase cargo movement between the two countries.
ZRL chief executive officer Muyenga Atanga said the two railway companies’ have in the past been working together and want to revive the partnership.
Prof Atanga said the two companies will both benefit from the agreement as they will share the amount of cargo that will be moving from DRC, through Zambia to South Africa.
Prof Atanga said on Tuesday when he met a delegation from DRC, that ZRL only manages to move about 3,000 tonnes of cargo per month which is not enough cargo considering the amount of cargo that moves by road between the two nations.
Prof Atanga said once the agreement is in full effect, the cargo currently moving on the road to and from the DRC would be captured by ZRL.
“Congo has a lot of cargo so we sat and came up with this agreement to ensure that we increase the amount of cargo on our wagons,” Prof Atanga said.
He added that Zambia, Zimbabwe and South Africa would be meeting on April 1, this year to discuss possible ways in which DRC can provide more cargo for transportation via railway, to the region.
“If we can have 15,000 tonnes of cargo moving on our railway lines then ZRL would make not less than half a Million USA Dollars per month,” Prof Atanga said.
Meanwhile, Congo National Railways director general Ilungua Ilunkamba said his company is working hard to ensure that it improves its services and satisfies its clients.
Prof Ilunkamba said the company has embarked on rehabilitation of the railway line in Lubumbashi and Sakanya towns.
He said the company is committed to improving its services and that clients are ready to support it.
Prof Ilunkamba added that the company is making strides to settle the debt it owes ZRL and that with the business agreement, he was hopeful that the two companies would both make profit.
He said for any company to survive it is important to foster partnerships that are beneficial to both parties involved.
“I want to take this opportunity to thank ZRL for the support and the continued good relationship we enjoy, for a company to succeed there is need for partnerships such as this one,” Prof Ilunkamba said.
