By CHILA NAMAIKO –

GOVERNMENT is in the process of creating the Railway Safety Agency and the Maritime Safety Agency in the country.
The Railway Safety Agency will focus on matters relating to the railway sector, while the Maritime Safety Agency will deal with water facilities.
Transport and Communications Minister Kapembwa Simbao told Parliament on Wednesday that the two agencies would be key in safeguarding the railway and water transport facilities.
Mr Simbao said the Government would soon create the agencies which would enforce safety measures and in the process help in revenue.
“Government is doing its best to provide for its citizens and these agencies will be in charge of the railway and maritime sectors,” Mr Simbao said.
He was speaking when winding up debate on the report of the Committee on Communications, Transport, Works and Supply presented to the House by United Party for National Development (UPND) Mbabala Member of Parliament (MP) Ephraim Bbelemu.
Mr Simbao said more than 460 communication towers would be set up in various parts of the country, particularly in the areas with poor communication networks.
Mr Bbelemu appealed to the Government to continue upgrading the railway system while providing modern water transport facilities.
He bemoaned poor communication networks in some remote areas and called on the mobile service providers to install more towers to remedy the situation.
MMD Nalikwanda MP Geoffrey Lungwangwa said Information and Communications Technology was key in helping the country to diversify its economy.