By JUDITH NAMUTOWE –
THE Government has concluded the consultations on the proposed Statutory Instrument (SI) on the restriction of the transportation of bulk cargoes above certain weight threshold from the road to railway.
The new measures are expected to take effect by September this year.
Zambia has urged railway operators on the North-South Corridor to strategically position themselves for the expected rise in the business opportunities that the new law will trigger.
Transport and Communications Minister Brian Mushimba said the SI was expected to address the imbalance between rail and road transport market share by ensuring that bulk cargo (beyond a certain tonnage) is transported by rail.
Mr Mushimba was speaking when he officiated at the first 2017 Southern Africa Railway Association (SARA) board meeting in Lusaka yesterday.

“The the implementation of the SI, the country will benefit by allowing the railways to play its role in the economy as a bulk transporter of cargo and therefore contribute to prolonging the life of our roads, reduced air pollution and reduce road carnage levels,” Mr Mushimba said.
To achieve this, Government sought feedback from various stakeholders over the introduction of the SI.
Meetings were later held with the Truckers Association of Zambia (TAZ), Zambia Chamber of Mines (ZCM) and Zambia Association of Chamber and Industry (ZACCI).
Mr Mushimba said he was encouraged to note that  SARA achieved a 60 per cent  increase in business on the North-South Corridor this year compared to last year.
He said this was a clear indication that the collaborative efforts of SARA members were bearing fruit.
Mr Mushimba was confident the figure would increase to about 80 or 90 per cent.
He said the Government was determined to transform the railway sector into an efficient, safe and viable transport mode.
And Zambia Railways Limited (ZRL) managing director Christopher Musonda has been elected SARA president.
Mr Musonda urged SARA members to continue working together in growing the rail share which has declined from nine per cent to 15 per cent in the region.
“There is demand to develop the adequate capacity to meet the market demand and also improve on operational efficiency for regional railways to compete favourably on the market.