By KENNEDY MUPESENI –
THE Government will introduce performance contracts for Tanzania Zambia Railways (TAZARA) workers to increase efficiency in its operations, Transport, Works, Supply and Communication Minister Yamfwa Mukanga has said.
The railway company which started operations around 1975, has recently been facing challenges such as delayed payment of workers’ salaries and low profitability.
Mr Mukanga said in an interview that introducing performance contracts for both management and the general workforce would increase efficiency in the operations of the company.
“Under the smart partnership, the managing director comes from Zambia while the deputy is from Tanzania, so what we want is to introduce performance contracts which would be renewed based on specific targets achieved in given period,” he said.
Mr Mukanga said the country could not afford to lose TAZARA looking at the economic benefits for the company hence the need to put measures to revamp the company.
He disclosed that soon ministers of the two countries would meet to chat the way forward on the need to recapitalise TAZARA.
The two countries had no option but to recapitalise the company and run it profitably.
The two shareholders were working on putting security measures especially at Kapiri Mposhi to secure cargo for the clients.
This would create confidence in the clients as well as attract more customers which would in turn increase the haulage of cargo through TAZARA.
Mr Mukanga said the Zambian Government was encouraging the transportation of cargo through the railways to reduce stress on the roads.
Recently President Edgar Lungu and his Tanzanian counterpart Jakaya Kikwete pledged to revamp TAZARA.
The two made the commitment when they held bilateral talks at State House in Lusaka.