Zambia Railways Board, with plans to modernize railway infrastructure, now in place
Zambia Railways Board of Directors Chairperson Mark Chona (centre)
shares a light moment with Deputy Board of Directors Chairperson
Professor Oliva Saasa (left) and Zambia Railways Managing Director
Professor Clive Chirwa
Zambia Railways Limited (ZRL) has announced its new management board which plans to modernize railway infrastructure as part of its master-plan to be implemented in the next year three years.
The board is headed by former Taskforce chairperson Mark Chona and renowned economist Oliver Saasa as his deputy.
Others were Communications and Transport Permanent Secretary Muyenga Antanga and his Commerce and Trade counterpart Stephen Mwansa as well as Finance Permanent Secretary in-charge of Budget Pamela Chibonga.
Others on-board were Solicitor General Musa Mwenye, Road Transport and Safety Agency director Zindaba Soko, a consultant Joram Mwansa, Irene Zeko Mbewe a lawyer, Geoffrey Mulenga a mechanical engineer and Richard Chipanama a former ZRL employee.
Speaking during an induction ceremony in Lusaka yesterday, Mr Chona said the vision of ZRL board in partnership with management was to make the railway industry profitable, efficient and viable according to aspirations of Zambians.
“This is a big task that we have been given especially that President Sata wants to see this railway industry viable. We want to look at what ZRL’s needs, how it will be revamped but we want to promise Zambians that we shall make this industry effectively viable for smoother operations of our trains,” he said.
Mr Chona said the composition of the board was balanced with wealth expertise from skilled members who would put their ideas jointly to uplift welfare of dilapidated railway in the country.
Earlier, Dr Antanga implored the board to be innovative and work prudently to achieve its targeted goals.
“Government is expecting you be to be innovative because we want policies to be implemented effectively to enable this railway industry be revamped for people to start enjoying the trains,” he said
Dr Antanga said Zambians were concerned with the deplorable state of the railway sector infrastructure and that it was incumbent upon the new board to fulfill people’s expectations.
Transport, Works, Supply and Communications Permanent Secretary
Muyenga Atanga (second from right) talks to Zambia Railways Board of
Directors Chairperson Mark Chona (right) as Managing Director
Professor Clive Chirwa (left) and Deputy Board of Directors
Chairperson Professor Oliva Saasa look on
ZRL deputy chairperson Professor Saasa said Zambia’s economic development depended also on the railway sector which could realise profits once revived to full capacity.
He was saddened that despite Zambia recording tremendous economic strides, the railway industry still lagged behind.
And ZRL chief executive officer Clive Chirwa said his management had an ambitious programme of resuscitating the railway and modernizing it in the next three years.
Government recently revoked the concession agreement of the Railway Systems of Zambia (RSZ) and placed it under ZRL.
Meanwhile, Dr Antanga has said the ZRL would embark on an ambitious programme of acquiring state-of-the-art locomotives to make it more viable and reduce hauling of goods on the roads.
He said this when he appeared before the Parliamentary Committee on Government Assurances at Parliament yesterday UPND Itezhi Tezhi Member of Parliament Greyford Monde.
Dr Atanga said government was also looking at prospects of speeding up the completion of the North Western Railway that would connect the country to the Lobito Bay in Angola.
He said Zambia railways and TAZARA had signed a Memorandum of Understanding to improve the rail way system in the country.
Transport, Works, Supply and Communications Permanent Secretary
Muyenga Atanga (second from right) addresses Zambia Railways Board
Chairperson Mark Chona (right), Managing Director Professor Clive
Chirwa (left) and Deputy Board Chairman Professor Oliva Saasa in
Lusaka
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THIS IS NOT THE BEST TEAM ZAMBIA HAS.
IF THEY HAD ADVERTISED, ZAMBIA WOULD GET BETTER GUYS THAN THESE.
THERE ARE ALOT OF EXCELLENT GUYS OUT THERE WHO DID NOT KNOW JOBS EXISTED TO SERVE ON THE BOARD OF ZRL SIMPLY BECAUSE IT WAS NOT ADVERTISED!!!!!!!
I MAY BE WRONG, PLEASE CORRECT ME.
I totally agree with you hundred percent. It was done in secrecy I do not know if at all people knew about it.
Ignorant !
Sometimes it is better to remain quiet on issues we are not familiar with. Board positions are filled by appointment and not application. You could argue that the selection was not upto speed but that would be a different argument altogether
The method of selecting board members of state companies by appointment has been going on since independence and it has failed lamentably! It is time we got the most suitable people we have for the “jobs” by merit based selection instead of appointing our associates, colleagues, friends and the usual government officers (PS) There is no law that stops us changing the selection method!
Kanshi what do you people want? Do you want white expatriats then? These are some of our best brains around,of course there are many more out there but we can only have so many. And to the numpty who complained that the positions were not advertised i would advice them to shut up if they got nothing to say, board members are headhunted or nominated.
@Kalinso Mubukwanu, just continue doing dirty jobs where you are, which even whites refuse to do and continue being on welfare and living in a one roomed council flat there in the diaspora. meantime we continue enjoying the fruits of being in zambia.kekekekekeke
All these will be there to milk the company of its resources. Non of them has made money for themselves in life. They all depend on being employed. How do you hope they will money for the country when they have failed to make for themselves outside employement. Sorry!
Iwe Board members are just appoint, you do not apply to be part of a board! Please mwilatusebanya! The Jobs will be advertise and the best will selected, no worries!
You might be right, but Perhaps these were the only candidates that availed themselves for the openings.
“the devil you know…..”
and the measure of what makes the best team being?
Not entirely correct that appointments should be arbitrary. Appointments of Board Members can also be through the application process, but ratified, or whatever term, ultintely by Cabinet or whoever the political set up delegated to. That way, a wider view can be had, before settling on those who have been singing praises for unfulfilled 90 days promises! That is how some democratic countries do it. Ofcourse, we know Zed is not; even the CEOs are being appointed from the bedroom of the BIG MAN, peharps by the BIG LADY.
Board members are not advertised for. The Minister responsible selects and forms a Board. The Board then has a task of putting in place a management team. But as you have noted, this Pa Fwaka regime is doing things upside-down. The President appoints a CEO (whom the Board is supposed to appoint). How then does the Board prevail over the CEO who was appointed a by a higher authority than them? The Board is supposed to perform oversight functions and guide management.
Board directors are appointed by the owners of the enterprise in this case the GRZ. Management positions are advertised to be to find the qualified experienced and competent managers.
Board positions are not advertised, you identify and pick people based on their expertise in the area of concern
Kalinso, I wonder why you came up with such a brilliant question. Those in management are good. The problem will be talking about others, Zambians together is taboo. I wish there were 2 whites & 2 Indians in the team, headed by Clive of course.
For the borad they can get away with appointments. When they fill in positions it will be required that these are advertised.
I think whats wrong with your approach is the attitude you display. The best team is the one with a vision and can deliver to the Zambian people. Some also seem to suggest that one or two white people and an Asian included in the team but, this kind of thinking pains me, the only reasons whites or Asian succeeds is because they work with a vision. They finish the project before they start, its a bit like building a house you need a plan of the house first before you start building that way, you see exactly what you are building. Good management alone without a shared vision can never build Zambia, regardless of your best team.
you can never be far from the truth
You have no access to information thats why your presentation on this matter is raw, and i can not blame you, i can blame your neck that carries you funny head. You wnated to be told or may the president to come at your door step. Come on,Come on Zambia! How much papers are you holding my dear friend. Give esteem to this team which has been appointed and it will represent the zambian at different foras.
You are 100% correct. Mark Chona, for example (and I have nothing against the man) is over 70 years old!! Surely, in Zambia are we going to continue with these old croaks? There are so many young brilliant minds out there. When are they ever going to make their mark if the old guard will not step aside? Saddening.p
Ignorance at its best. Advertising for board members?
I can’t wait to finish my program, i guess with my electrical and automation skills i will be able to contribute to the developments that are taking place in my beloved country..
This is what we call being level-headed. keep up the spirit of being visionary.
Yahweh richly bless you.
@junior engineer, my youngman finish and come back home so that you can contribute to the development of mother zambia. that is the best you can do instead of fighting for dual citizenship just because some one has failed to make it in the diaspora. i have some relatives who are struggling in the UK and we at times send them money and they cant come coz they feel they have wasted their years. things are happening apart from this uncircumcised ichilema with his mujaheden alshabaab type of supporters who still think we are still leaving in the 11th century.
Zemuntu, you done good until you attacked HH personally. That is no way to describe HH – uncircumcised. I am no fun of HH, but I hate it when people use venous language against people who have done absolutely nothing to them. Why are you being personal? Did he ever prevent you from having your supper?
Good boy.
I expected a board of directors with vast experience in technical issues of transport business and I have only seen one Engineer apart the MD of Zambia Railways. The board should at least, comprise of technically advanced minds rather than flooding it with solicitors!!!!!!!!!!!!
Board do NOT need to be all engineers sir
Its best you look at what challenges Dr. Chriwa’s management team will face then make a comparison. Selecting board members centres around people who have an affinity for your business, who understand your challenges and your opportunities. Look closely again!!
I agree with you. The work on hand requires a bias towards engineers. Therefore, would have expected majority members to be Engineers. Economists and Academicians will just derail the plans… most of them talk too much with less practical output. I could be wrong but time will tell it all
Zambian engineers have failed us…nothing to offer apart rhetorics.Lets give these guys a chance and see what they have to offer.
We wish you all the best.on this one we support PF
KALISO YES YOU ARE VERY WRONG!!POSITIONS FOR MEMBERS OF ANY BOARD ARE NEVER ADVERTISED!!YOU CANNOT WRITE THEM OFF BEFORE THEY EVEN START WORK.IT IS NOT EASY TO BE A PROFESSOR IN ANY FIELD AND THESE PEOPLE TOILED VERY HARD TO BECOME PROFESSORS.DO YOU KNOW THAT PROFESSOR CHIRWA IS A CONSULTANT FOR RAILWAYS IN SOME DEVELOPED COUNTRIES?DO YOU KNOW THAT HE WAS A LECTUCTER AT A UNIVERSITY IN THE UK BEFORE HE WAS APPOINTED TO COME AND RUN THE RAILWAYS IN ZAMBIA?
Point me one Professor in the entire planet who has run a company efficiently and went on to make money for his/her shareholders! Take any field you want IT, Medicine, Mining, Arts anything field you wish. They can teach but that does not mean they can posses enterprenuerial skills as well. Its a pity the richest men and women in the world aint even been to school. Just look at the furniture the Board Room table alone, before they even make a single penny, will tell you what these people are made off.
I agree this country has lots of Transport economists and engineers it could have included if only to give it direction of what is doable and not. As it stands we are in for lots of Board room parties. Its a No for me too…
@ 5.1 are stating a fact or simply exposing your ignorance.
Look around you.
Professorship is just a title.
Sony the electronics and media giant was founded by scientists.
Dyson, the UK vacuum cleaner and washing machine maker was founded by a school
teacher.
This is a heavy and dense collection of some of the best minds in the world. The best is yet to come!!!
@Sure, walasa. some of us who have been civil servants for quite some time and are equally on the ground know what good things this governement is doing. for the first time council employees have been put on the payroll by this same government. machinery has been bought for the pave zambia 2000. If only Mr Kabimba can stop bickering. there are a lot of good things this government is doing which is being overshadowed by the bickering of mr kabimba.
A Board of Directors is there to give direction and guidance to management and people sitting on that board do not need to have full expert in the particular field. This Board is balanced in my opinion coz its comprises of pipo of different and diverse expertise and with there vast experience ZRL can realise its vision.
Its not about being a consultant or lecturer; its about running a business or commercial entity no one in the team has any experience in that area at all
jealousy mumbwe iwe. konkanyafye ukupipa amafi utukote uko ku uk shetani wakantu iwe
Thats what am talking about
ndelolesha fye
okay, lets roll now, with economic minds and technological innovative minds, please dont fail
why recycling the same failures..?these chaps are not going to give us a better deal!!
ha,ha,ha,big smiles and plans how we get our pockets full,i bet you zambia railway is still the same in 20 years.
there are a lot of ignorant people on this site .positions of board members are not advertise they are just appointed .give thanx were it is due .i have worked with soko and pamela they have great experience .the composition of this board is very fantastic.viva pf
@Kalinso and Lasi are you still looking for jobs? what are your qualifications? i may be of help
they are struggling in europe and so they need an exit plan plus nafi snow this time around.
Now i know why Sassa later stop criticizing the PF coz he was promised ka job….. pazed hahahahaha. Even prof njala yamunyokola sure.
Board positions are by appointment and application and no one can dismiss this team. The composition, especially idea of having Permanent Secretaries from Transport and Finance is to expedite decision making. You want to ensure funds will be released when you make decisions and also know exactly what financial position is!!
Prof. Saasa, may be an economist but he possess sufficient expertise to ensure the ZRL venture is a profitable one!!
Lets give them a chance, apart from being arm chair critics!!!
good point
you are one of the zambians this country needs. we need to be patriotic and not just being armchair critics. lets see what people will say next month wen govt gives a contractor to do the 400kms of roads in lusaka alone.
Not the best team, but better than a lot of other PF composed boards. At least people here who have relevant education and can think! A good and honest try finally by the PF. Now get to work boys!
Do board members get paid in form of a salary or just get sitting allowances?
Gee my first thought was that furniture looks expensive.Why do people rush to to buy expensive furniture,office space etc even before they have produced anything?
Think big. The furniture is a good starting point. Are you asking for cheaper trains with wooden benches, or what?
I am afraid there will be a lot of theories here! And a lot of rhetoric. I am sure of that.
Iwe cni Walasa or wapusa, board positions are advertized in developed countries, why shouldnt we?
yama ikalenifye ukokwine mulepipafye amafi utukote and doing other dirty jobs which whites refuse to do
All the best team hope you acheive the best.
People need to give these guys a break and allow then have a go and remember they have integrities to protect so don’t write them off even before they start.
Board Positions can be advertised in seroius establishments. Now I know why things do not move pa Zed. Anyway my take is lets give this fellas a chnace to prove themselves. As for Mr Chona, I have my doubts.
I dont know what level of education bloggers have here. The board has been appointed. Now lets focus on what we would want them to do. I read that Transnet will be building a copper railway line from DRC through Zed, Zim up to Durban. It was mentioned that the deal will be finalised next month. The MD has not mentioned anything. Anyone with data please
What will Transnet do if the DRC decides to work with others on a cheaper route to say Angola, or we work on the NorthWest Railway and take over the copper hauling through Lobito Bay? I suggest ZRL works quickly on consolidating the most cost effective routes amongst which could be the North West Railway, TAZARA (Revamped) and Walvis Bay Namibia where there is already some infrastructure in place on the Namibian side, with Kapiri Mposhi becoming the hub for routes to the North, South, East and West! (Much like what Bulawayo used to be in Zimbabwe – linking rail to Botswana, Zambia, South Africa and Mozambique)
We need to support this team what ever there qualifications are, the problem is we complain too much over trivial things. I pray to God that he should give them wisdom because without it whether you have P.H.D’s you are nothing.
The biggest problem with the ZR saga is not just the board. I know most of these gentlemen are learned, but how many of them have ran a successful business, let alone a railway company?
The major problem though is that this is a nationalised entity and we all know that these nationalised beasts lose money like a linking Lusaka sewerage pipe. Where is the money going to come from when this structure ensures this entity will be loss making from day one. I guess another bond offering on the international markets with the debt left to be paid by the future generations. This is just stupid period. The Bloody thing was dead, why did they have to raise it again and use money they do not have to revive frankstein.
Why do African leaders, always wear very very expensive suits, yet they represent very poor developing countries
if he can afford so what, iwe tombolilo just continue buna mazai in europe
The level of ignorance in this country is just unbelivable!! The strange part is that people rush to comment on issues they have little or no understanding at all. Where in the world have you seen or heard of an advert for board members? My foot!! What do you know about corporate governance? These are head hunted you knucle heads!! And about the CEO, which degenerate around or globally can much the resume’ of Prof Chirwa? For once support progressive ideas and if you have no clue about an issue the least you can do before you open your month is google it and get some basics Zambians!!!
Spot on Smart Guy! Am yet to see any of these chaps tell us which company has advertised for board members. Kalinso Mubukwanu please tell us which company in the UK has advertised for board of directors positions. This mentality of criticizing everything without understanding the issues at hand is one of the reasons why we lag behind in terms of development
THE TREND ALL OVER THE WORLD IS TO ADVERTISE BOARDS OF DIRECTORS POSITIONS.
THOSE WHO APPLY GIVE A PAGE OF THE VISION THEY HAVE FOR THE INDUSTRY/SECTOR AND THEIR RELEVANT QUALIFICATIONS.
GOOD EXAMPLES NEAR HOME IS RSA AND BOTSWANA. I THINK WE NEED TO ADOPT THE BEST PRACTICE FROM THE ENTIRE WORLD.
WHAT DO YOU THINK?
That board room table actually looks like a coffin!!!!!
Things could work in Zambia if politicians stopped meddling in affairs they scarcely know anything about. Time immemorial the same names keeps popping up in important programs. Aren’t there other Zambians out there capable of resuscitating the railways? Ok, give Chirwa the benefit of the doubt, he hasn’t been part of the circus that has failed Zambia since 1964, but what are these guys doing there, Chona and Saasa? These guys have been in public life all their lives, what are they going to do that they didn’t do already? It’s insane that recycled so called professionals are always invited to perform responsibilities beyond their capabilities and understanding.
Bla bla bla, you talk again. Please, brothers with other mothers and fathers, don’t just speak for the sake of speaking. It’s only a **** who has something to say. Critcism has to be object, or else you are igonranamus. These guys have proven to work before, give them time rather than picking up some foreigner with your inferiority complexes.
THE ZAMBIAN GOVT SHOULD TRY BY ALL WAYS AND MEANS TO ENSURE THAT THE RAILWAY LINE TO LINK LOBITO PORT IN ANGOLA IS COMPLETED IN TIME TO REDUCE CONGESTION ON ZAMBIAN ROADS AND REDUCE ROAD ACCIDENTS. THE DEVELOPMENT OF ZAMBIA AS A LANDLOCKED COUNTRY WILL BE FASTER AS TRANSPORTATION OF GOODS AND SERVICES WILL BE MUCH FASTER BY RAIL.
RELYING ON THE PORT OF DAR IS A VERY BIG DANGER TO THE ZAMBIAN ECONOMY AS WE HAVE NO OTHER OPTION PORTS TO USE.
I support PF but this ideal of only picking the old madala technocrats for most high positions does not fly with me. We the young engineers seems like we have no place in the PF GOVT
Keep it cool brother, there are a lot of us who genuinely support the PF and who have not been appointed but that shud not make one lose hope. let support HEMCS to succeed so that so that we have a better zambia. we cant all be appointed at the same time.
The beautiful ones, the clever ones, the intelligent ones are not yet born. Lets do with what we think is the best.
thats a good move PF for life
Looks okay on paper I just hope they have not has selected colleagues so Dr. Chriwa has control on his board. As in tough situations they will have a fiduciary duty to do what’s right and he won’t be able to control them when it matters most to you.
I puzzled there is no accountant on that team to keep Chirwa in check with our Eurobond and tax money….Chriwa is a designer by background and we know how they get carried away with a blank cheque.
Now lets move to RDA and remove those empty suits there starting with the cadre at the top…Willy!
I AM NOT PROPOSING THAT CADRES CANNOT BE APPOINTED!
FOR HEAVEN’S SAKE APPOINT THEM TOO!
BUT MY PLEA IS, ADVERTISE AND SUBJECT THEM TO A TRANSPARENT PROCESS.
THAT WAY THEY WILL PERFORM. NOT THE WAY IT IS NOW.
you need an accountant for what? you seem to be a deranged
@39.1 this is not a management board hence that is not needed
@39.2 surely someone with vast experience in the financial sector or cost management background would be needed on the board given that a lot of our money will be spent…
PS: apologises for typos in the post was on the move….
I think the best is to give these distinguished gentle men and women time to perform their duties, after all they are our sons and daughters of this mother land. one observation though their program is too ambitious hopefully they will manage it well. Go for it we are behind guys
I grew up in Kabwe and it is interesting to see the same “spit and polish”offices of 30 years ago in use
What’s more important to you a profitable ZRL or a posh state of the art Headquarter’s building? You choose..
The same people all over again. From one Board to another, geeee
THE ONE MATTER THAT THE ZR BOARD MUST URGENTLY LOOK INTO IS THE DISAPPEARRANCE OF ALL THOSE HUNDREDS OF WAGONS THAT WERE FOUND AT ALL STATIONS AND IN SOME SIDINGS. IT SEEMS THEY WERE ALL TAKEN FREELY TO SOUTH AFRICA AND ARE NOW PART OF SPOOPRNETS ASSERTS.EVEN OUR OLD AND STRONG GM ENGINES ARE GONE. FIND THEM!!!!!! THE RECORDS OF MOVEMENT OF THE ROLLING STOCK ACROSS BORDERS IS SURELY THERE. THE MASHALING YADS IN THE STAIONS COUNTRYWIDE – CHILILABOMBWE TO LIVINGSTONE HAVE BEEN SWEPT CLEAN VANDALS (RSZ/SPOORNET)
Well, looking at the cluster of thiz lads, it sweet and I have confidence that they will add value to our once upon a time transport engine. The MD refused to be given a 5 yrs mandate to revamp ZRL operations and opted for 3 yrs. I recall how pathetic it is travelling from Ndola to Livingstone by rail. The fares are affordable but turn out to be the most costliest considering huge food expenses incurred on the way. I can’t wait to ride on a +120Km/Hrs train.
VIVA Profs and your team.
Board Members, pliz allow Prof. Chirwa to recruit or rather assemble a technically competent team for the job. 1000% carderless management will do us proud.
VIVA mother Zed….
Talking about furniture and office set ups. gentlemen, working environment plays a vital role in propelling minds into any direction whether negative or positive. These pipo have now reached a stage of high self-esteem owing to their education and careers. Let us contribute positively here fellow Zambian citizens.
Can any one propose a conducive of characteristics for Profs. They are not school drop out for your information.
spot on
As far as Im concerned whether they are learned or not wont count. That is but their own personal pressure. Its the delivery Iam waiting for. Things should happen.. and quickly!
haaaa!iyo baleyumfwisha bwino..let them smile..clearly they have never experienced job frustrations that emanate from political interference ..wait til they are told to upgrade that railway line in 90 days…wel see if they will still be smiling…they shud ask us who’ve worked in boma ..under 3 different administrations..oho
CONGRATULATION PF for the team at ZR we will give them the support they need for the desired results to be attained.
Guys is it ignorance or what? Everybody was complaining that we have a lot of Zambians doing very fine in other countries, they start coming back and you write them off before they even begin! cynics! do courses in management so you know that the Boad is appointed by the owners of the company. What level of education have some of you, or are you just paid to write nonsence?wake up Zambia ni yatu, it will only be developed by Zambians.
How do you put together a bunch of people who have no clue of running a business, to transform Zambia Railways. All those chaps have either earned their living on tax payers or salaried employment.
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