TAZARA is more than a transport corridor – President Hichilema

President Hakainde Hichilema says revitilisation of the Tanzania Zambia Railways (TAZARA) rail line will bring more economic value than it has over the years.

He said this when a delegation from China Railway Construction Corporation (CRCC), led by group chairman Dai Hegen, paid a courtesy call on him at State House today.

The President said revitilisation of TAZARA is indicative that the vision of the rail line’s planners – Presidents Kenneth Kaunda and Julius Nyerere, and Chairman Mao – is being walked presently.

President Hichilema said revitalisation of TAZARA demonstrates the long-term partnership of China, Zambia and Tanzania.

“This is the test of long-standing friendship and it is a good one.

“TAZARA in the 70s meant a lot to us. The revitalisation of TAZARA now means a lot more to us,” he said.

He said over the years, there has been a realisation that TAZARA should be developed to be more than just a transport corridor.

President Hichilema said a developed TAZARA will result into additional opportunities in mining, agriculture and other economic sectors along the corridor.

“We should be working to deepen our cooperation and to exploit the resource endowments that sit along the TAZARA corridor – an economic corridor rather than just a transport corridor.

“There is a lot of value that we can generate. There are other things of value that we should be doing as the rehabilitation of the rail line commences,” President Hichilema said.

President Hichilema added that the dry port in Kapiri Mposhi, for example, is so critical to Zambia’s economic agenda, and is elated that it is one of the aspects that will be attended to during the rehabilitation of TAZARA.

“As we are also working on the revitalisation of the Zambia Railways network, it means that there will be a connection between TAZARA and Zambia Railways.

“We also invite you to pay particular attention to the energy generation situation in Zambia. To support all this that we want to do, we want more electricity. We want to deepen our cooperation – working with CRCC and your associated businesses,” said President Hichilema.

Mr Dai said Zambia is one of the most important overseas markets for CRCC.

“Our connection and bond with Zambia began with the Tanzania Zambia Railway. As early as 1970s, China Civil Engineering Construction Corporation (CCECC), a wholly-owned subsidiary of CCRC, undertook the design and construction of the worldly renowned Tanzania Zambia Railway.

“For more than 50 years, CRCC has actively participated in the construction of railways, roads, water supply systems and other infrastructure projects in Zambia,” he said.

Mr Dai added that to date, CRCC has completed more than 20 projects in Zambia and over the years, the company has employed more than 6, 000 jobs in Zambia.