PRESIDENT Banda says Government will continue investing in infrastructure development as it is key to economic progress and a means to achieving the Vision 2030.
Mr Banda said his Government will ensure that the national budget leans towards key infrastructure development to facilitate various progressive agendas.
The President was speaking to journalists in Chipata last Saturday at a dinner.
“I think we have to move forward because our people are growing tonnes and tonnes of maize. No wonder we need a good road infrastructure. So we would like to invest in more road infrastructure,” Mr Banda said.
He said this is in anticipation of the increased copper production and other economic activities in the country.
And Mr Banda said there is need for the country to invest in its human resource.
He said Government will continue prioritising and investing in the education sector because an educated society can effectively run the country.
Mr Banda urged the youth to be patriotic and take interest in the affairs of the country to achieve development.
“If we are trying to develop the economy, ourselves as Zambians should be educated first. We think education is key as we go forward. We think that we should invest in all these sectors to achieve the vision 2030,” he said.
Meanwhile, stakeholders and residents in Chipata have welcomed the successful establishment of the Chipata-Mchinji rail line.
Eastern Province Chamber of Commerce, Trade and Industry chairperson Timothy Nyirenda said the business community in the province is delighted with the development.
Mr Nyirenda who is former Kasenengwa member of Parliament said the newly commissioned rail line will facilitate cheaper transportation of agriculture produce and other bulk materials.
He said in an interview that farmers and businesspersons are delighted with the successful completion of the rail line because they expect cheaper imports of various inputs especially from the Far East.
“The entire business community in Eastern Province is excited about this development because we have a lot of maize, cotton, tobacco and other cash crops which have to be exported. Our agriculture inputs can also now come through Nacala from the Far East,” Mr Nyirenda said.
[pullquote]“If we are trying to develop the economy, ourselves as Zambians should be educated first. We think education is key as we go forward. We think that we should invest in all these sectors to achieve the vision 2030,” he said. [/pullquote]
He observed that the rail line has subsequently land linked Zambia and Malawi creating an alternative and shorter route to the port of Nacala in Mozambique.
He appealed to the railway service provider Central Eastern African Railway (CEAR) to consider providing frequent services of a goods train saying most people are looking forward to cheaper transportation of various goods.
“We are looking forward to the full operations of the train service and our own docking yard in Nacala and I am glad that President Banda mentioned this,” said Mr Nyirenda.
And CEAR commercial agent Ziyauddin Daya said the company will soon start transporting clinker (for cement manufacturing) to Larfarge cement in Blantyre in Malawi
Mr Daya who is Ziah’s Construction managing director, the company which was involved in the construction of the rail line, described the Chipata-Mchinji rail line as a dream come true for the business community and residents of Chipata.
“We are also in talks with mining companies and they are interested in transporting copper by rail, so they are just waiting for our rates and they could be serving about US$20 per tonne,” he said.
Mr Daya commended Government for committing funds to the multi billion project which was started in the 1970’s.
Chief Madzimawe of the Nsenga people of Eastern Porvince said his subjects are happy with the completion of the railway line.
The Chief said in an interview that the railway line will help elevate the economic status of Chipata.
“I can foresee a lot of infrastructure development, even the city status we have been talking about can now be realised because these are some of the issues that are taken into consideration.
He said the rail line will also serve Government substantial amounts of money towards road maintenance.
On Friday, President Banda commissioned the Chipata-Mchinji railway line.
“If we are trying to develop the economy, ourselves as Zambians should be educated first. We think education is key as we go forward. We think that we should invest in all these sectors to achieve the vision 2030,” he said. THESE ARE WORDS OF WISDOM FROM OUR CARING PRESIDENT RB. I support His Excellency 100%
I said time and again on this blog that this is the only caring president zed has ever hard in the place of PLMwanawasa. The problem with Zambians is that there is too much tribalism and some tribes think that they are better than others. RB is hated bcos he is from the East. We say NO.NONO. TO tribalists and VIVA EARSTERN Power VIVA RB VIVA MMD.
H.E. RB we can all see how your are dedicated to developing the nation. In the short period you have been head of state we have seen so much wealth distribution through out the country. you could have chosen to concetrate on eastern province but hell no you a loving citizen of zambia and want to share national cake evenly. look at your cabinet its still the same one left by mwanawasa. go rb go we are behind you as the well meaning citizens not bangwele naba kaponya kano nibo pa chipuna
These are great words from H.E RB. I am in total agreement.
Lusaka and other provinces are changing shape for the better. This is because of H.E RBs Good Governance. VIVA RB, VIVA MMD
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I do support these developments in infrastructure.My support also extends to education as it is the key for human resource.However,let us not kid ourselves on this as managerial skills are lacking.The roads are done by chinese due to shoddy work by zambian contractors.The zambian corporations driven to implosion like zambia airways and others were taken there by well educated zambians.