By Joy Nyambe
The groundbreaking ceremony for the TAZARA revitalisation project is scheduled to take place this Thursday and will be graced by President HAKAINDE HICHILEMA and Chinese Premier LI QIANG.
President HAKAINDE HICHILEMA says the revitalisation of the TAZARA project carries immense significance for Zambia, just as it did in the 1970s.
Speaking at State House today, President HICHILEMA said the project demonstrates the longstanding friendship between Zambia, China and Tanzania, as envisioned by the founding fathers of the three nations.
The President has tasked the team overseeing the revitalisation to develop additional projects aimed at harnessing the resource potential along the TAZARA corridor.
He further expressed satisfaction that the China Railway Construction Corporation -CRCC- is incorporating the development of the Kapiri Mposhi Dry Port, which he described as crucial to Zambia’s economic growth agenda.
President HICHILEMA also invited the Chinese firm to pay attention to Zambia’s energy-generation needs, citing its extensive experience and expertise.
And China Railway Construction Corporation Group Chairperson DAI HEGEN said Zambia remains one of the company’s most important overseas markets.
Mr. DAI said CRCC has completed more than twenty projects in Zambia, with contract values totalling one billion US dollars and providing over six thousand jobs.
He added that the TAZARA revitalisation project will further strengthen cooperation between Zambia and China.
Meanwhile, Transport and Logistics Minister FRANK TAYALI said the UPND administration continues to invest in transport infrastructure to help lower the cost of doing business, in line with the President’s vision.
