Government has reiterated its commitment to the revitalization of the Tanzania-Zambia Railway Authority (TAZARA), with plans to construct a modern dry port in Kapiri Mposhi as part of broader efforts to enhance logistics efficiency, industrialization and job creation.

Deputy Secretary to the Cabinet for Finance and Economic Development Siazongo Siakalenge said government was working with Chinese investors from China Civil Engineering Construction Corporation (CCECC) and China Railway Construction Corporation (CRCC) to develop the dry port along the TAZARA line, which is scheduled to undergo revitalisation in line with national development priorities and international standards.

Mr Siakalenge was speaking when he met Chinese delegation, led by CRCC Chief Economist Sun Gongxi, in Kapiri Mposhi, where they toured key sites including railway tracks, the proposed dry port location and the inter connecter between Zambia Railways Limited (ZRL) and TAZARA.

He stated that Mr Siakalenge explained that the construction of a modern dry port will accelerate development in Kapiri Mposhi and create employment opportunities for local communities.

He said Kapiri Mposhi’s strategic location makes it ideal for the project, as the district lies at the centre of the country and hosts two major railway lines, the Zambia Railways Limited (ZRL) and TAZARA which link Zambia to regional and international markets.

Mr Siakalenge noted that TAZARA connects Zambia to Tanzania via Nakonde up to Tunduma, while ZRL, which runs from Livingstone to Ndola, intersects with TAZARA in Kapiri Mposhi, allowing for easier and more efficient movement of goods.

He disclosed that the revitalisation programme will include the development of a modern terminal station whose standards will be consistent with those of the Dar es Salaam terminal building, ensuring equity in infrastructure development between Zambia and the United Republic of Tanzania.

Mr Siakalenge explained that the government was assessing key economic sectors along the TAZARA corridor to determine how they can be developed to ensure the railway operates as a profitable business venture.

He added that cargo volumes hauled between Kapiri Mposhi and Dar es Salaam are expected to increase significantly, from the current levels of less than one million metric tons per annum to a minimum of 2.4 million metric tons annually.

Mr Siakalenge said the revitalisation will also synchronise operations between TAZARA and ZRL, with an interchange point and a common yard to allow seamless movement of cargo between the two railway systems.

He noted that additional facilities will be developed in Kapiri Mposhi, including enhanced border management infrastructure and upgraded customs operations, despite the absence of an international border, in line with modern border management concepts.

Mr Siakalenge commended the Zambia Development Agency (ZDA) for effectively marketing Zambia both locally and internationally, adding that it was now time to move from discussions to implementation.

Meanwhile, Commerce, Trade and Industry Permanent Secretary for Industrialisation and Investment, Crusivia Hichikumba, described the rehabilitation of TAZARA as a major milestone that will support Zambia’s economic growth.

Mr Hichikumba said the improved railway system will be critical in supporting the planned increase in copper production from about 800,000 metric tons to three million metric tons, as well as boosting maize production to 10 million metric tons for both local and international markets

And CRCC Chief Economist Sun Gongxi said the revitalisation and concession of TAZARA, being implemented by CCECC under CRCC, is significant for both Zambia and Tanzania

Mr Sun said the project was expected to enhance freight volumes and stimulate economic growth, adding that the delegation’s visit was aimed at assessing how best to utilize available resources to develop areas around Kapiri Mposhi.

Meanwhile, TAZARA Regional Coordinator Frank Nasilele thanked the governments of Zambia and Tanzania for the decision to concession the railway line to CCECC.

Mr Nasilele said the concession agreement, which was signed on September 29, 2025, in China, will enable the revitalization of infrastructure, including rail tracks, locomotives and wagons.

He noted that although TAZARA currently moves about 2.5 million metric tons of cargo annually, the locomotive company was unable to manage this volume effectively under the current setup, adding that the concession will help increase capacity and efficiency.

Kapiri Mposhi District Commissioner Francis Hasalama said the construction of the dry port and revitalisation of TAZARA will benefit the local people through employment creation and position the district as a key transport and logistics hub.

Chief Justice, Mumba Malila, has opened the 2026 Mansa High Court Criminal Sessions with a call on the judiciary to deliver justice that is both swift and humane.

The media reports that speaking in Mansa District of Luapula Province, the Chief Justice stated that the criminal justice system is at a pivotal juncture in its reforms as he outlined ongoing reforms which started in 2022.

“I have, since assuming office as Chief Justice of Zambia, spearheaded efforts to reactivate the criminal justice system to strengthen what had been a weak criminal accountability mechanism,” he said.

Dr Malila revealed that in response to calls for sentencing guidelines relating to plea bargains, the Ministry of Justice has incorporated provisions in the Criminal Procedure Code (Amendment) Bill to empower the Chief Justice to implement them.

Building on the theme of consolidating Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR), Dr Mumba described plea bargaining as a transformative tool and a bridge between law and humanity and emphasised that justice is about restoration and healing, not just punishment.

“I have no doubt that the promulgation of sentencing guidelines will significantly strengthen our efforts to champion plea bargaining. Once in place, such guidelines will provide accused persons with a clearer and more predictable understanding of the scale of sentences for various offences,” he said.

The Chief Justice stated that as evidenced by experiences in other jurisdictions, the proper implementation of plea bargaining anchored in principle, not only benefits the parties involved but serves communities as a whole.

The Chief Justice said the ADR inclusion has been as a result of the Ministry of Justice’s ongoing review of the Criminal Procedure Code and on the instruction of the Judiciary.

He pointed out that employing plea bargaining was responsible to safeguard the rights of the accused, protect the interests of victims, and uphold public confidence in Zambia’s criminal justice system.

Earlier, Presiding High Court Judge, Bubile Shonga, presented a report, echoing the call for timely justice.

Judge Shonga noted that the Mansa High Court entered 2026 with no case backlog for the eighth consecutive year.

Detailing operational strides, she disclosed that the court held four gazetted and two special criminal sessions in 2025, receiving 199 cases and conclusively disposing of 176.

Judge Shonga also highlighted critical challenges, including the lack of a dedicated High Court building, insufficient child-friendly facilities, and severe overcrowding in correctional facilities.

She further condemned the persistent frequency of defilement cases and endemic mob killings linked to witchcraft suspicions.

“This persistence is a grave reminder that punishment alone cannot eradicate crime, it must be accompanied by sustained community education and moral vigilance,” she said.

Judge Shonga called on traditional and church leaders to educate communities on the sanctity of life and the rule of law.

Government has dispelled claims that major infrastructure projects in Luapula Province have been abandoned.

Luapula Province Minister, Engineer Nason Musonda has maintained that all construction of Mansa Airport and works on the major road projects were progressing as planned.

The media reports that, during a media briefing, Engineer Musonda indicated that contractors on key projects that include Musaila–Lubwe–Kasaba, Kashikishi–Chienge Roads and Mansa Airport were actively on site.

“Government officially commenced works on key projects in October 2025, among them the Musaila–Lubwe–Kasaba Road, the Kashikishi–Chienge Road, and the provincial airport and none of these projects have stalled,” Engineer Musonda said.

He disclosed that the 80 Kilometre Musaila–Lubwe–Kasaba Road and covering 5 Kilometres of township roads in Chifunabuli valued at about K937 million recorded significant preparatory progress.

Eng. Musonda disclosed that the contractor has completed about 98 percent of site camp establishment in Chifunabuli, while 40 percent of construction equipment was already on site, with full mobilisation expected by the end of February, 2026.

The Minister explained that full-scale construction works were scheduled to commence towards the end of March or early April, once the rainy season subsides.

Engineer Musonda said that the contractor for Kashikishi-Chienge Road is currently on-site establishing camps and mobilising equipment.

“On the Kashikishi–Chienge Road, also known as the Nchelenge–Chienge Road the contractor is on site establishing the camp and also mobilising the equipment,” Engineer Musonda said.

The Minister disclosed that the 95 Kilometre Kashikishi-Chienge Road project valued at over K1.9 billion was expected to significantly enhance trade, fishing, agriculture and cross-border commerce with the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) once completed.

Engineer Musonda further commended the contractor, GED for remaining on site during the rainy season, revealing that bridge works, including those on the Luongo River along the Chalwe Road, are actively progressing.

He also confirmed steady progress on the construction and upgrade of Mansa Airport adding that advanced procurement processes are underway for the long-awaited Pedicle Road, which he described as a critical economic lifeline for Luapula Province.

The Minister also confirmed that funds have already been allocated in the 2026 National Budget to commence construction works.

” The New Dawn Administration is implementing infrastructure projects methodically and transparently, following successful debt restructuring that created fiscal space for capital-intensive investments,” Engineer Musonda said.

Engineer Musonda assured the public that all ongoing road works, bridge and airport projects will deliver lasting economic benefits to the province and the nation

Government has commended the judiciary in Northern Province for remaining up to date in handling both criminal and civil matters in the past four years.

Northern Province Permanent Secretary Bernard Mpundu said the judiciary and stakeholders in the justice delivery system have done a commendable job in reducing the backlog of criminal and civil matters in the province.

Mr Mpundu has reaffirmed government’s commitment to upholding the rule of law and promoting access to justice for all Zambians.

The permanent secretary was speaking when he officiated at the ceremonial opening of the Kasama High Court Criminal Sessions of 2026 at the Kasama High Court Building today.

“We want to appreciate the judiciary in the Northern Province for working tirelessly despite challenges to eliminate the backlog and be current in both criminal and civil matters in the province; this has been the status quo for the past four years,” Mr Mpundu said.

He explained that government was also aware of the challenges the judiciary is facing which have impacted the execution of its legal mandate.

Mr Mpundu said government understood and appreciated the need of the judiciary to administer justice for all in an independent, competent and timely manner.

“The government is committed to upholding the rule of law and promoting access to justice. This remains the government’s position in ensuring that access to justice is a reality,” Mr Mpundu said.

And Judge in Charge of Kasama High Court Justice Matthew Zulu reported that the station managed to meet its expected performance in the past year.

Judge Zulu revealed that in 2025, the Kasama High Court successfully held a total of five gazetted and three mini criminal high court sessions.

He revealed that the court  was expected to hold another five gazetted criminal sessions this year, while civil matters will be heard throughout the year.

He further disclosed that during 2025, a total of 127 criminal matters were received by the high court, of which 113 were fully disposed off.

“Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) in criminal cases last year has been beneficial to the judiciary and stakeholders in the criminal justice system, as it has helped not only in the reduction of backlog but also in the implementation of efficiency in the delivery of criminal justice by saving costs and time,” he said.

Judge Zulu reiterated the commitment by the judiciary to delivering timely and quality justice.

He said the high court in Kasama was steadfastly committed to reducing and eliminating the backlog in criminal and civil matters.

Speaking during the court procession, Zambia Correctional Service Northern Region Commanding Officer Evelyn Simoonga revealed that the province has a total of 1,152 inmates as of Monday 12 January 2026 in morning.