More stakeholders have expressed grave concern over the rising number of road traffic accidents occurring in the country.
Zambia Bus and Taxi Workers’ Union (ZBTWU) president James Liambai said the union was deeply concerned with the loss of lives through road traffic accidents.
Mr. Liambai attributed the high number of road mishaps to fatigue amongst drivers who are subjected to traveling long distances coupled with poor their conditions of service.
Mr. Liambai, who was flanked by his General Secretary (GS) Mangalitso Nkunika, said this in an interview with ZANIS in Lusaka today.
He bemoaned that drivers do not have adequate sleep hence lose alertness and concentration when driving.
“The labour movement feels fatigue among the bus drivers is the major contributing factor for the high number of road accidents the nation is currently experiencing,” Mr. Liambai said.
And ZBTWU general secretary Mangalitso Nkunika called for concerted efforts from all stakeholders in the transport sector to work towards finding solutions to reduce accidents on the roads.
Mr. Nkunika urged the stakeholders to avoid the blame game but to instead act responsibly in trying to find a lasting solution towards reducing road carnages in Zambia.
“Let us avoid the blame game and act responsibly. As a labour movement, we believe in team-work if these road mishaps are to be reduced,” Mr. Nkunika said.
Meanwhile, President Edgar Lungu has learnt of the death of 25 people between Kabwe and Kapiri Mposhi yesterday with shock and sadness.
President Lungu has since announced that government will take over all expenses for the funerals of those who died in the road traffic accident yesterday.
Mr. Lungu has further directed Central Province Minister Davies Chisopa to lead the his administration in working with the Disaster Management and Mitigation Unit officials to lessen the burden of the families as much as possible.
The Head of State directed that dual carriage ways should be built soon to help reduce incidents of road accidents such as the ones experienced in recent months.
Yesterday, 25 people died in an accident involving a Wada Chovu Marcopolo bus and a Mercedes Benz minibus around 09:00 hours between Kabwe and Kapiri Mposhi districts in Central province.
The bodies of the deceased persons are lying in Kabwe hospital mortuary awaiting identification and post-mortem.
You see, that’s the problem we have because they always announce construction after the tragedy. where have you been all along. Lilya abantu bafwa ati twalapanga umusebo, when they cry and their tears are dried up, the project will stall.
keep your foolish comments in your arse!!!
keep your trash in your a s s
Maybe we have a situation where they are more fake drivers licences than genuine ones, otherwise this is the outcome.
The best thing to be done is to fit speed limiters on all public transport to not more then 70 km for local transport and 90 to 95 km for long journey buses or coach’s, this will bring down the number of accidents .