ZRL awards rehab tenders to 32 local companies
Published On February 6, 2014 » 3078 Views» By Davies M.M Chanda » HOME SLIDE SHOW, SHOWCASE
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. Prof Atanga

. Prof Atanga

By NAKUBIANA SHABONGO –

ZAMBIA Railways Limited (ZRL) has channelled part of the US$120 million towards awarding of tenders to 32 local companies to commence rehabilitation of the railway network.

The $120 million is part of the funds released by Government from the $750 million Eurobond obtained in 2012.

President Michael Sata said on Monday that the ZRL had managed to record growth in its haulage capacity since undergoing major rehabilitation works from September last year.

Government’s release of the $120 million has seen the railway company undertake major rehabilitation works of the track, rolling stock and signalling system.

President Sata said the future of ZRL looked bright and that Government took the correct stance to recapitalise it.

ZRL chief executive officer Muyenga Atanga said the 32 local firms registered under the Patents and Companies Registration Agency (PACRA) would rehabilitate the stretch from Chililabombwe to Livingstone.

Professor Atanga said the works were expected to be completed in November 2015 to ensure that the rail line was improved and speed capacity increased to around 80 kilometres per hour.

Speaking during the awarding of the contracts in Lusaka yesterday, he said the company had targeted to cover 500 kilometres of the railway works this year.

Prof Atanga said the railway firm had introduced a deliberate policy in awarding the tenders by giving them to local companies.

He said local companies faced challenges in embarking on the railway projects as they did not have the necessary equipment, but that an opportunity had now been availed to empower them so that they could be able to purchase the necessary machinery.

He urged the contractors to engage women in the rehabilitation works as was the case during similar works on the Chipata-Mchinji railway line in Eastern Province.

Prof Atanga assured the contractors of prompt payments to ensure they bought the required equipment.

The ZRL procured 95,941 concrete sleepers for its track rehabilitation programme which resulted in installation of 37,777 new concrete sleepers.

The track rehabilitation programmes would be undertaken at Livingstone, Choma, Monze, Kafue, Lusaka, Chisamba, Kabwe, Kapiri Mposhi, Kafulafuta, Ndola, Kitwe and Chingola depots.

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