Zambia: national airline launch set for Oct

By Francis Maingaila
Lusaka (28-01-18) The Zambian government is confident that the long awaited national airline will be launched October 24.
Addressing journalists at the Patriotic Front Interactive Forum, Transport and Communication Minister Brain Mushimba said all measures, including the necessary assessment to give the required assurance that Zambia is on course to launch the national airline have been done.
According to Mushimba, Cabinet has also given an assurance that government will sign an agreement between Zambia and Ethiopia. This of course will be made after the Attorneys General has completed studying the paper work.
He added that the aviation sector is another aspect the government is working on for the purpose making Zambia open to the outside world.
“When the projects are completed, Zambia will be an attractive destination and this will create an opportunity for the people to open either direct or indirect business’
He indicated that the national airline policy is also being worked on. When the industry was closed sectors suffered damage. Hope now that giving it now life will bring hope to the economy.
He assured that the government has put in plan measures that the airline will The national airline is also being worked on. When the industry was closed sectors suffered damage. Hope now that giving it now life will bring hope to the economy.

He assured that the government has put in place measures that the airline will not drain from the national treasury.
Zambia is set to be a powerhouse of the industry in the region.
The political stability and peaceful transition of power makes an added advantage to the business being ploughed in Zambia.
He disclosed that the railway sector has the capacity to help in business to support the economic growth in Zambia.
The government is working on the railway transport policy. This will help the rail to own the business doing so, will make the business. The railway system was revitalised using the 720 million Euro bond which was acquired in 2012.”
At the moment, he explained the government is working on the Tazara to bring it to the original intention. The agreements has been made and will be shared with the Tanzanian counterparts for consent.
He further indicated that the government is also interested in green field rail way project and will focus in places where there was no railway in place.
“The government is working on creating water transport surrounding water bodies and about 150 water vessels has been acquired.”
Furthermore Mushimba disclosed that the government is on the verge of introducing time buses that seek to decongest the city of Lusaka.
The ministry is also working on revising the road service act. The age for obtaining a PSV driving license will be lowered from 25 to 20. This will come with certain rules and person that violates the rules is out
He however regretted that the road profile in Zambia is bad . Many people have died via road accidents. The government worked on measures to prevent accidents and this is working out for better. Last year there was a reduction in the number of people that died.?