By BRIAN HATYOKA –
TRANSPORT, Works, Supply and Communication Deputy Minister Panji Kaunga has called for increased sensitisation of citizens against theft and vandalism of railway infrastructure.
Col Kaunda said there was need to educate citizens to safeguard the railway infrastructure because it belonged to them.
He said while implementing stiff punishment to offenders was a deterrent, it was also important to sensitise people on the importance of guarding railway facilities.
Col Kaunda was speaking in Livingstone at Chrismar Hotel in an interview on the sidelines of the just ended Southern African Railways
Association (SARA) executive committee meeting.
“Vandalism and theft of railway infrastructure is a very worrying trend to the Governments and this is an issue we will look at
seriously. We need to sensitise parents and children especially those in schools that vandalism is an offence and that these facilities
belong to them,” he said.
SARA executive director Bernard Dzawanda said his Association had taken measures to minimise vandalism and thefts of rail infrastructure.
“In our respected countries, some have taken such issues to parliament for legislation so that they come up with stiff and deterrent
penalties. Further, the cargo such as copper and sugar are usually escorted from their point of origin to their final destination with
proper security,” Mr Dzawanda said.
He also said SARA members were currently working on a programme to synchronise its operations in the region.
Mr Dzawanda commended Zambia Railways Limited (ZRL) for the upgrading of tracks which will reap huge benefits, as the trains would be moving smoothly at an increased speed.