MARY LEMBA
Chilanga
WONDERFUL Group of Companies is seeking to invest more than US$1.2 billion in rehabilitating the Livingstone Chililabombwe railway line to reduce road congestion by shifting some of its cargo transportation from road to rail.
Deputy Secretary to the Cabinet for finance and economic development Siazongo Siakalenge said the proposed investment will help ease pressure on the country’s road network, considering the large volume of trucks currently used by the company to transport its products.
Mr Siakalenge said this when he led senior public service management staff on a tour of the Wonderful Group of Companies industrial park yesterday.
He said the company’s chief executive officer had disclosed plans to rehabilitate the railway line at a cost of slightly over US$1.2 billion.
Mr Siakalenge said the company currently handles about 1,000 trucks daily to transport its products, adding that shifting some of the cargo to rail will significantly reduce congestion and pressure on the roads.
He said the visit was intended to help senior government officials understand the operations of local industries and appreciate how government policies can support manufacturing and economic transformation.
“Having appreciated what is happening on the ground, permanent secretaries will be well positioned to put in effort in reviewing pieces of legislation that are not sitting well with industry players,” he said.
Mr Siakalenge said the engagement will also enable permanent secretaries to identify legislation that requires review to create a favourable environment for industrial growth and investment.
He said Government has prioritised local manufacturing, making it important for public service officers to understand how policy decisions could contribute to economic transformation.
Mr Siakalenge further emphasised the importance of timely decision-making in facilitating investment, citing the eight months it took for Wonderful Group to be granted industrial park status.
He said delays in administrative decisions could slow industrial expansion and deny the country opportunities for economic growth. https://enews.daily-mail.co.zm/welcome/home
