Exit of Zambia Railways MD signals need for a reality check

Railways remains the most cost effective and […]

Railways remains the most cost effective and most efficient way to transport bulk & heavy cargo as well as large number of passages between towns and cities.

 Therefore, Zambia being realistically a land locked (call it land linked if you are an optimist) can not afford to just let this transport option die. The Zambia Railways board and Ministry of Transport should find the right expertise with requisite experience capable of raising the millions if not billions of dollars in investment to bring this asset to play for the economy.

 There is need to first identify without emotion, but with merit, someone to lead this very important organisation if the nation truly aims to reduce the cost of doing business and make the nation competitive even in attracting complementary foreign direct investments.

There is massive investment needed to bring the rail lines, the communication systems, moderniszing the train stations, upgrading the quality of waggons as well as replacement of the passenger waggons to fit the times and attract passengers. Following the sudden exit of Zambia Railways – ZR MD Eng. Cuthbert Malindi – Should ZR board bring in an expertriate or are there capable Zambians who are actively practicing, have the requisite expertise and experience to turn around the fortunes of Zambia Railways?

When we say expertise, we don’t mean a PHD or other academic qualifications in railways and railway company management, we mean practical and working experience at the highest levels. Let the ZR board and Ministry of Transport search for first if we have Zambians in the Diaspora who fit the requisite experience and caliber, if not, it’s time to consider bringing in an expertriate who can then be supported to turn around Zambia Railways.

Let’s not pretend that the cost of doing business in Zambia is not high relative to countries which have sea ports and railway infrastructure in place.

It’s about time as a people, we start realizing that if you don’t have the expertise, the right thing to do is to admit and bring in an expertriate who can be compensated as they train and install a local management system which can then in future be eligible to take over.

As it stands, looking at the state of Tanzania-Zambia Railways – Tazara, the other option for possible recruitment of a replacement, it’s almost looks certain than either Zambians in the Diaspora working in Railway industry or an expertriate may be the only viable options available if there is a serious attempt to revamp this very strategic and important sector.

At the end of the day, the board at ZR which is appointed via IDC, and IDC board is chaired by the President of Zambia, so it’s upto these structures to think through and put in place workable, viable & merit based MD replacement.

Putting political considerations ahead of national interests will just further derail the efforts in reducing the cost of doing business in Zambia.