By JAMES KUNDA-
PLANS to construct the Chingola-Jimbe railway line have reached an advanced stage with works expected to start this year, Transport, Works, Supply and Communications Minister Yamfwa Mukanga has said.
Mr Mukanga said that feasibility studies on the project have already been concluded and works are expected to be done within a time-frame of 18 months, provided the availability of a yet to be disclosed capital requirement.
He said the railway line from Chingola to Jimbe would connect to a similar facility from Jimbe to Luanda, thereby enhancing the movement of goods between Zambia and Angola.
Mr Mukanga said the Government of Angola has constructed a 1,000 kilometre railway from Luanda to Jimbe and Zambia would ensure that the same is done from Chingola to Jimbe.
“The feasibility study on the Chingola-Jimbe rail was completed and the project is expected to take 18 months and it will commence soon after certain negotiations and mobilisation of funds are done,” he said.
Mr Mukanga said the Government was about to conclude discussions with North-West Rail Company (NWR) over the North-Western Railway project.
He said certain documentations concerning the project were still pending but Government was determined to come up with the railway as it would quicken the movement of goods and improve business by reducing the cost of trading.
NRW is a company headed by former Republican vice president Enoch Kavindele.