Friday, March 29, 2024

Mchinji Railway line soon to be joined to the TAZARA Line-President Lungu

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First Lady Esther Lungu, President Edgar Lungu , Malawi's President Peter Mutharika and Malawi First Lady during Malawi's 51st Independence Celebrations at Kamuzu Stadium in Blantyre on July 6,2015 -Picture by THOMAS NSAMA
First Lady Esther Lungu, President Edgar Lungu , Malawi’s President Peter Mutharika and Malawi First Lady during Malawi’s 51st Independence Celebrations at Kamuzu Stadium in Blantyre on July 6,2015 -Picture by THOMAS NSAMA

REPUBLICAN President Edgar Lungu has said the Mchinji Chipata Railway line will soon be joined to the Tanzania Zambia Railway Line.

The President disclosed this on Monday evening at Sanjika palace the official state house of the Blantyre during the State Banquet which was hosted in his honour said the Mchinji Chipata Railway Line would be joined to the Tazara.

“My government has made strides in joining the Mchinji Chipata Railway Line to Tazara and will make this a reality soon,” he said.

President Lungu who was accompanied by First Lady Esther said the contractor assigned to work on the project would soon move on the site to embark on this project.

He said the Mchinji Chipata Railway and the Zambezi Water way were the two channels through which Zambia and Malawi could facilitate trade between the two countries in the region.

He appealed to the private sector to take advantage of the existing infrastructure in the two countries to develop partnership and joint ventures in order to exploit this potential.

“It is imperative that these abundant opportunities are fully exploited and utilised in order to improve the livelihood of our people and also contribute to the development of our region as a whole,” President Lungu said.

He said the two countries should continue to promote the tenets of democracy on the African continent.
The two countries should use the common membership to Southern African Development Committee (SADC), Common Market for East and Southern Africa (COMESA), African Union and the United Nations to exchange information and take a similar position on matters of mutual interest in collective effort to attain a prosperous world for all.

He said Zambia was inspired by the advances made by the region in upholding the SADC principles and principles governing democratic elections by all SADC member states.

“ We have so far demonstrated our collective commitment to the attainment of the stipulated benchmarks and guidelines which are intended to enhance our democratic credentials thereby contributing to peace and stability within our region,” he said.

He said Zambia and Malawi should utilise the Joint Permanent Commission of Cooperation (JPC) to enhance the relationship between the two countries have regular meeting tthat would address matters pertaining to bilateral cooperation and exchange information on matters of defence and security affecting the two countries.

Speaking earlier Malawian President Arthur Peter Mutharika said his country attaches great importance to the friendship and cooperation which had developed between the two countries.

“Your presence among us confirms the strong relations that our brotherly countries have built and will serve to give further impetus to the relations,” Professor Mutharika said.

He said bilateral relations also apply to Malawi’s relations with Kenya and Mozambique.

He called on all Malawians to be united, work hard and be patriotic in developing Malawi because no one would develop their country.

Kenya vice-president William Ruto and former Mozambican president Joachim Chissano were also at the State Banquet.

Zambia’s delegation at the banquet were Foreign Affairs Minister Harry Kalaba, Tourism Minister Jean Kapata and Eastern Province Minister Malozo Sichone.

President Lungu graced Malawi’s independence celebrations held under the theme ‘Towards Economic transformation and inclusive economic development in Malawi’ at Kamuzu stadium on Monday.

President Lungu and his Malawian counterpart Professor Mutharika were yesterday (today) expected to sign the Malawi/Zambia Trans Frontier Conservation Areas (TFCA) Treaty at Sanjika Palace.

40 COMMENTS

    • Yes create the rail line at borrowed money and never use it.
      Zambia railways by now would have been a very profitable govt company had the government put in place a law that prevents use of road transport to transport a certain number tonnes. E.g copper the ZRL & Tazara would have benefited a lot and run profitable. Now you allow some company from South africa and mugabe to transport the copper causing a lot of damage on the roads resulting in accidents. The idea of putting up the rail line is good but what benefit is it if it relies on govt funding to be run as a business??? Tazara is on its knees because most of goods come through roads and all money either go to forigners etc. Learn from South Africa where they have made sure that any Zambian who buys car from japan must use an SA…

    • PF ‘s Lies

      More money in your pocket. Reality; far less money in your pocket as the kwacha falls in value coupled with the wage freeze.

      Load shedding will be a thing of the past. Reality;more load shedding being justified by vision less Lungu’s minions.

      No more fuel shortages. Reality; rampant fuel shortage of very expensive fuel.

      Subsidies removed to fund infrastructural projects. Reality; money saved including money borrowed all stolen and used to boost top PF members ‘s personal accounts abroad.

      Lungu told the nation he had no vision of his own. Reality; he was absolutely right as things have gotten worse under his visionless leadership.

      Zambia under PF is lost in the wilderness. Only UPND and HH can reverse the economic destruction caused by PF ‘s poor…

    • Independence celebrations are over, go and drag him back to Zambia. He is always the last one to leave functions, why is he afraid to work?

    • Shut the hell up and let this man work.

      Zambians attitude towards their presidents is like a man who marries and divorces 5 times and still thinks it’s the women’s fault. No idi.o.t, it’s you!

      A successful country takes work from both government and citizens. Changing presidents doesn’t make you better citizens you dunderheads.

      Change your attitudes towards developing your communities and yourselves and you will start to see Zambia evolve into a better country.

    • @Nubian, be more specific whom you are insulting, it can be Edgar, but definitely not me. You sound sour, careful people will know your days. When are you going on maternity leave?

    • @ kavundula, same for me. Maybe the president just wanted to say something to impress his host knowing very well that he was lying.

  1. How will it happened ? Your economy is bankrupt . Getting a loan for your project ? How do you pay back ? Second worst government from Somalia . can’t you borrow some millions from RB and sons ? Mulengs sata got millions in Europe ask from him ? The PF bandits . Time is coming soon . 11months we are going to be looking for you ,

  2. How come Rwanda is richer than this ever peaceful place yet Rwanda went thru wars and genocide?

    Zed needs to connect rails only to serious business partner states like Angola,Tz,Kenya and Mozambique.Leave these poor and lazy Malawis out

    • Enka

      Point of correction there. Malawi is by far richer now under the current leadership than Zambia. Malawi is headed by a professor who knows what the needs and has put in place brilliant economic policies than in any other Africa countries.

      Since the new government took up power in Malawi, the Malawian kwacha has appreciated by over 40% while Zambian Kwacha has deprecited by almost the same %.

      The current leader in Malawi, has stabilised the economy and he will soon begin to grow the economy at a faster rate while Zambia under Lungu is in reverse gear.

      Why should Lungu prioritise connecting two railway lines while Zambia suffers from load shedding?

    • Wanzelu you are anelitist looking for a fight. WHO told you that a Professor President is key to ZAMBIAN problems? The other brother Mbingu, a Professor former SG of OAU was a jerk. Railway infrastructure can help the economy possibly might hel p bring in coal or solar panels. By the way Malawian Kwacha has not increased by 40 s.tupid %. It was higher in May dipped in June and has just started to recover. And who says it’s because of THE professor? HH WILL NOT OFFLOAD MONEY ONTO THE Zed ECONOMY. Just wait for 2016 and stand. Abash Elitism! Viva socialism with a twickle to suit ZAMBIANISM.

  3. What will the rail line transport, poverty?. First invest in wealth creation and the improvement of people’s lives in those areas. The rail line might end up as a white elephant that will eventually be vandalized by crooks for scrap metal like the Mulobezi rail line.

  4. President Lungu who was accompanied by First Lady Esther said the contractor assigned to work on the project would soon move on the site to embark on this project. Have feasibility studies been conducted to prove that the project is bankable?

    • I have a problem with silly bloggers like you. Senior Engineer RTD. Can a project on such a scale proceed without feasibility studies sure? Lungu is a politician talking about policy. Engineers like you can do all those feasibility st.upidy studies. Corrupt people like RB and sons win contracts at night in the dark. Then a shoddy job is done. After that governments change then immunities are removed, Lawyers make money, a President might die then we start all over again. You should have got it by now. WASTE OF SPACE.

  5. I do not see the urgency of the Muchinji – mpika rail line. It has very little economic benefits for Zambia as compared to Malawi which seeks to be connected to Tanzania! But as has been the ways of Lungu he would rather do for Malawians than for his own. No wonder he has been so preoccupied with opening Malls (representing the imperials) than seek ways for his own to access financing so they can build their own. Someone should say to Lungu, the Nseluka-Mpulungu line (to the only Zambian port) is more economically beneficial than Muchinji. Ah, am not sure he can rise above mere impression.

  6. ZAMBIAN POLITICIANS ARE ALWAYS FULL OF ENTERTAINMENT, AND FULL OF EMPTY TALK. LUNGU IS A WASTE FOR ZAMBIA. AND WATCH HOW LUNGU STEALS ZAMBIA TO MALAWI AND ZIMBABWE. JUST WATCH AND SEE.

  7. Tazara workers have not been paid for 5 months and he wants to add another project because thats the only way of stealing. What is wrong with this fool. Because he is such a fool and naive, he only goes to make these funny announcements when he goes outside the country. Someone should pump some bullets into this arse hole. He is taking everyone for granted.

  8. The BIGGEST QUESTION IS WHO KILLEDI MICHAEL CHILUFYA SATA? WAS THIS AN INSIDE JOB OR WAS IT EXTERNALLY ORCHESTRATED? AND WHY WAS HE KILLED IF HE WAS? BY WHO AND WHAT MOTIVATED HIS BEING WIPED OUT? WAS IT AN RB POLY? DOES DR KASEBA KNOW ANYTHING? WHAT ABOUT THE USELESS MINISTERS?

    • Sata was sick with AIDS. The ZWD told you back in 2012 that Sata was sick but you refused to see the obvious. If you cared for Sata you would have asked him to resign and stay at home. He might still be alive even now.

    • THE point you are making is THAT even this man from chawama is dying before our very own eyes? But will he listen? And can a country be without a President. I think YOU are BEING UN realistic. Do you by any chance want the job like Nawakwi? That’s a vicious cycle isn’t it? Kalyefyo bwali bwa GMO and wait for 2016 or 2020.

  9. Good idea but better would be to solve the load shedding first and think about mchinji railway later.

  10. A totally stoopid idea. Tazara is currently on strike because workers have not been paid for 4 months. It’s better for Chakolwa Chagwa to borrow more Euro junk bonds to pay Tazara salaries than to extend the line to Mchinji when already existing lines are failing to perform. Chagwa must have been high on Jamerson. This does not make sense.

    • In terms of stu.pidity this is by far the best. Teachers are on strike so no more schools will be built. Well done you, buck teeth Lungu. I’ll give you a medal and invite you to the next Chagwa banquet for a Jameson in Chawama. What makes me angry is that we’ve had an encounter before ABOUT Presidents And deaths.

  11. Project was Rupiah Banda’s idea when he was President; Sata ignored it.
    It doesn’t make sense now since PF has failed to run Tazara and Zambia Railways.

  12. Rail and electricity Inter connectivity is good for all, but short term nationalistic priorities may be having different demands. The long haul of it is that mutual economic strength which will serve all better, has to be courted by such inter connective projects.

  13. WANZERU IS TALKING SENSE NOT EMKA AND ANALYSER, THEY ARE DUDES OF BABOONISH MENTALLITY, THE FACT IS MALAWI IS BETTER THAN ZAMBIA NOW…………

    • Wanzelu has good points most times but sometimes he let’s emotions take over which can be misleading. LUNGU is not the real deal by any stretch of imagination but I am sure ZAMBIANS by trial and error they may one day come up with a leader, not necessarily a Professor, to stir the economy further. HH I am not convinced he’s the MAN just because he’s done well for himself. BRING ON 2016 we try again.

  14. African economic outlook and other data on economic indicators show favourable information about ZAMBIA than Malawi. ZAMBIA has a favourable real GDP. In fact there is an indication that such positive trends are along the line of rail. Malawi depends mostly on Agriculture while ZAMBIA will have minerals in additional. Things have not changed much over the years. Of course things need to get better but to say Malawi is better than ZAMBIA is too loose a statement. I have a PhD but I am not any better than any of you. Professor is not Malawi’s miracle MAN. Things need to change in ZAMBIA and Africa at large; governance, judiciary etc. GO AWAY.

    • I think you are now abusing your PHD arguing with dullards! You can do better than this. Let them go away for sure!

  15. MY ANALYSER! I WONDER WHERE YOU GRADUATED WITH THAT SO CALLED PHD; YET YOU SOUND LIKE A GRADE 5 DROP OUT JUST LIKE ENKA I WONDER IF HE HAS EVER GONE TO MALAWI AND SEE IF PUPILS LEARN FROM UNDER THE TREE; DONT’ BE CHEATED WITH INTERNET ECONOMY.

    • ATEMBO do you mean internet Economy or internet Economics? I’ll however learn a lesson or two from your posting. My knowledge keeps increasing everyday and you are a massive contributor my mission.

  16. THANK YOU MR ANALYSER FOR YOUR LITTLE UNDERSTANDING, ONE THING YOU BETTER KNOW, THE MEASUREMENT OF AN EDUCATED MAN IS WORD OF MOUTH, WHATEVER CONVERSATION COMES OUT OF SOMEONE’S MOUTH YOU CAN REALISE WHETHER IS EDUCATED OR A SCHOOL DROPOUT…………….

    • ATEMBO your wisdom is indispensable because you keep on giving and giving. Tiny bit of correction, if I may. None of the things I put down came from my mouth because I wasn’t talking when writing. Much of it came from my mind. This is protracted, getting rather boring. Shall I say you’ve won the argument and I won’t be back. I don’t wanna be left behind with you while the world moves on. A scary prospect! One ZAMBIA one NATION.

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