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Zambia Hopes for More Efficiency of Tanzania-Zambia Railway
The Zambian government Friday expressed the hope that the Tanzania-Zambia Railway (TAZARA) will provide efficient and competitive transportation facilities if it is to survive the new world economic order.
Speaking at the 25th anniversary of TAZARA in New Kapiri Mposhi, a terminal station of the 1,860-kilometer-long railway built by China, Vice President Enock Kavindele said now that the whole southern African region was independent, TAZARA should become an alternative route to the second development of Zambia, Tanzania and neighboring states.
''TAZARA should focus its energies from political liberation to economic emancipation by becoming market oriented and commercial viable. This is the immediate challenge in the new millennium," said Kavindele.
He noted that TAZARA's performance had declined drastically because of unpredictable transit, unreliable safety records and inconsisted availability of wagons.
The vice president said these concerns had eroded customers' confidence and likened them to other modals of transport, adding that the trend must be reversed.
He paid tribute to China for moral, financial and material support to TAZARA, saying: ''The people of Zambia and Tanzania are sincerely grateful to the assistance rendered in constructing the railway line, provision of equipment and manpower to assist operate and manage the authority."
Chinese Ambassador to Zambia Peng Keyu said China will, as always, provide necessary assistance and support to the railway " cemented with sweat and blood and symbolizing brotherly friendship of the three peoples".
Peng said China would like to join Zambia and Tanzania in exploring the feasible ways for the healthy development of the TAZARA.
The Dar es Salaam-New Kapiri Mposhi line was built by China at the cost of 600 million U.S. dollar between 1970 to 1976. TAZARA was constructed to facilitate and contribute to the liberation of southern African countries that were under colonial apartheid rule, and create an alternative route for land-locked Zambia for its exports and imports through the Indian Ocean port of Dar es Salaam.
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