Government and Railnet International have signed a Memorandum of Understanding worth 11 billion United States dollars to construct a standard gauge railway system.
Speaking during the signing ceremony, Ministry of Transport and Communication Permanent Secretary MISHECK LUNGU who signed on behalf of the Government said the agreement will see the upgrade of railway infrastructure in-country.
Mr LUNGU says the project will be implemented on a Private Public Partnership framework in which the government will only provide the land.
He, however, says the construction of the new railway system will help to move bulk cargo goods away from the road.
And Mr LUNGU said once the project is executed it will transform the country into a transport hub.
He said the construction of the railway system from Zambia to Beira in Mozambique will help connect Zambia to the rest of Africa.
Meanwhile, Railnet International Chief Executive Officer DON KRESS said his company offers world-class infrastructure transportation railway system which will help Zambia catch up with International standards.
Mr KRESS further said the main objective of Railnet International is to make Zambia’s railway system the best in Africa.
And Railnet International Project Coordinator COLLINS KACHAKA said the feasibility study for the construction of the railway line is earmarked in the first week of May 2020.
Dr. KACHAKA said the project will also create jobs for the local people.
According to their Website, Railnet International is a US based corporation out of the state of Florida that specializes in the Designing, Building, Operation, and Maintenance of Railroad Systems. Established and managed by a team of railway professionals with over 400 years combined experience.
Who approached who in this deal? Did govt invite tenders or Railnet just turned up in our town and said they had an attractive proposal?
Look at those concrete 10 slabs delivered for $1 million, just dumped there!
Another scam!! A US company can’t take equipment to Zambia.
$11 billion for drawings!?. Your own Clive Chirwa asked for $500 million to build a rail line, you crucified him.
Another half baked article is this the reason why they abandoned the Chipata railway line this week…what are the details of this contract $11 billion is a lot of money that is roughly Zambians debt. From Biera to where? Chipata…to Petuake to Luangwa to Lusaka?
This is great news for Zambia. Can we have details, please.
What website? There is no such thing on Railnet International’s website …
Don Kress, just googled him up. Very interesting profile. Excerpt:
President, Northern Central Railway Company: Aug 2005 – Feb 2011
Conductor, NJ Transit: June 1987 – May 2011
Also googled Prof Chirwa’s company: AUVIV buses.
A British registered company. Directors include himself and his wife, and until recently, his two sons. Other business information scanty.
Signed by the PS? Sounds rather like the Oil from Grass project during the last days of the Kaunda era.
Won’t say much more, but just curious, do we have a diplomatic mission in USA? Or just ask Zambians resident in the relevant area of USA to check the facts.
Another non starter just like Zambia airways.
This is not a real company. Obvious scam……..
What about Zambia railway euro bond money. We are quick to celebrate the debt acquisitions by the Government. As citizens lets pose and think.
Just how does the construction of the railway system from Chipata to Beira in Mozambique help connect Zambia to the rest of Africa? This is scum because Railnet International no longer exists while its former CEO Don Kress is a fraudstar who went to jail in Orlando in the 90s for fraud!
This company doesnt report any accomplished project….its full of MoUs around West Africa,ignore them. Let jaguar and his minions account for Eurobond cash.
Please check the Africa president of this company Riis Annan, he is a so called Pastor and renowned Ghanaian fraudstar! And the one question that begs answers is, how was this contract awarded? Who approached whom and were govt tender procedures followed? This is another oil from grass!
I hv seen this Misheck Lungu chap speak at a function to explain why they’re setting up a new national airline at Pamodzi Hotel. He’s PS at Ministry of Transport. It would be risky to trust Lungu. He’s one of those religious extremists who thinks a bit of prayer is helpful in these things. This deal is too good to be true. I hv been taught in risk management that if something sounds too good to be true, chances it isn’t. Trouble is the press ask no questions. Wht kind of dumbness is this? Can’t u realize we’re approaching crisis point where the govt may hv a tough time just to keep the peace if the economy collapses? This is wht we risk reaching.
Umu muli nchekelako baaad!!!! Koma you guys. What is this? How did we really get here?
This is just another way to scam zambians. Americans don’t do anything for Africa. If it was the Chinese we would know that for the inflated amount atleast we will see something
This company sounds suspect and shakey financially. To begin with, it has a scanty record and history of working on such major projects anywhere in the world, including here in the United States of America. All I see on their website is their Director, Mr. Kress, running around African countries making similar proposals to every Govt that affords him an audience. The Zambian Govt should be very careful with foreign characters like him.
It doesn’t look like this company has ANY SOLID FINANCIAL FOUNDATION OR BACKING to undertake such a huge project. Nor is there proof that this company is able to raise that kind of money to do the things Mr. Kress is promising. Just find another credible investor with a proven track record in this area before you waste a lot of precious time romancing…
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someone who appears to be conman to me.
By the way, here is a scanty history that this company has:
“Railnet International, Inc. Overview: Railnet International, Inc. filed as a Domestic for Profit Corporation in the State of Florida on Friday, August 26, 2016 and is approximately four years old, according to public records filed with Florida Department of State.”
***THIS COMPANY IS ONLY 4 YEARS OLD WITH VERY LITTLE TRACK RECORD TO SHOW THAT IT IS ABLE TO HANDLE SUCH HUGE PROJECTS. And this should be a BIG RED FLAG to any thinking person!
The only thing I can find about this company that has anything to do with the railway industry (AND NOT RAIL CONSTRUCTION) is this article below:
QUOTE: “A Florida-based rail company that wanted to purchase Warren…
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County’s rail line earlier this year but was ruled out when it didn’t come up with a cash deposit is hoping to renew purchase discussions for the line….Railnet International Inc. offered $4 million for the stretch of rail line from Saratoga Springs to North Creek when the county and town of Corinth sent out a “request for proposals” last spring….Railnet, whose website bills it as a company that “was one of four companies that responded, but was ruled out when it did not provide a $50,000 deposit that was part of the proposal process….A one-week extension was granted, but the deposit was not paid, so the county moved on to the three other bidders….” (The article is lengthy. Those interested can read the entire article at ‘www.Poststar.com’)
***AS YOU CAN SEE,…
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THIS IS A COMPANY THAT COULDN’T EVEN COME UP WITH A $50, 000 DEPOSIT ON A $4 MILLION PURCHASE DEAL, WHAT MORE AN $11 BILLION PROJECT? THIS IS PURE FANTASY!
So ba Zambia, don’t say you were not warned!
Conmen can only be sought by fellow conmen? Otherwise how and where did government find them?
Uyo Kavindele with a serious project and government cannot facilitate, but want to conned!
SCAM SCAM SCAM SCAM IYOOOOO!
Reuters
SUN MAR 8, 2020 / 7:49 PM IST
U.S. Railnet plans $11 billion railway project in southern Africa