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President Hakainde Hichilema has said Zambia needs a modern railway network that will carry the country’s bulk cargo and ultimately reduce pressure on roads.
President Hichilema said Zambia was currently spending huge amounts of money on construction and maintenance of roads.
He said the development of the modern railway network would help stimulate economic growth and transform the transport network in the country.
The President said this on the sidelines of the Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week (ADSW) in the United Arab Emirates (UAEs) on Monday.
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On his official Facebook page, President Hichilema said he held discussions with the management of the Etihad Rail Company which was mandated to manage the development, construction and operation of the UAE’s national freight and passenger railway network.
“Our rundown and outdated railway network needs a lasting solution that meets the aspirations of our envisaged Economic Transformation Agenda.
President Hichilema in UAEs. Picture courtesy of State House media
“Zambia needs a modern Rail Network that will carry the bulk of our cargo and also reduce pressure on our roads where we are currently spending enormous amounts of money on construction and maintenance,” President Hichilema said.
He stated that the ultimate goal was not only to rehabilitate the existing network, but to also add more rail tracks to augment usage and optimise capacity in cargo and passenger freight.
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