The government has said that it is looking at extending the number of hours allowed to travel at night for Public Service Vehicles. Transport and Communications Minister Hon Mutotwe Kafwaya has promised that this will be done before he leaves office next week.

Speaking when he gave an update on the Transport and Communications sector at his office this afternoon, Hon Kafwaya said the transport sector is key to the improvement of the country’s economy.

Hon Kafwaya also said the PF government has done well in the road sector as seen by the improvement of Zambia’s road safety profile due to its robust road network.

“We have improved operations at Road Transport and Safety Agency (RTSA) in areas such as decentralization, service delivery with improved issuance of driver’s license, fitness test certificates and road taxes,” he said.

Highlighting developments in the meteorology sector, Hon Kafwaya stated that the PF government expanded and modernized meteorological observation infrastructure by installing 120 automated weather stations across the country.

“It may be worth noting that before the Patriotic Front came into power, there were only 41 manual stations. We have installed over 550 rainfall stations across the country to improve data collection on the rainfall pattern,” he added.

“We have put in place high-performance computing infrastructure to improve data modelling. We have also done training and upgrading of skills for our human resources.”

In the communication sector, the Minister indicated that the PF government has progressed with the installation of 1009 communication towers under the Phase II project.

He further explained that Government has awarded a license for a fourth mobile operator.

“In the Aviation sector, we have recovered from the Euro ban which we inherited and have put measures in place to ensure good audit outcomes from the ICAO audits. We have placed a Civil Aviation Surveillance System at the Kenneth Kaunda International Airport and the Harry Mwaanga Nkumbula International Airport to improve navigation in the Zambian airspace,” he stated.

In the Railway sector, the Transport Minister said Zambia Railways was recapitalized and over 400 kilometres of the main railway line rehabilitated.

“We have signed a Statutory Instrument No. 7 of 2018 on 30% bulk cargo by rail which compels all manufacturers and transporters of heavy and bulk cargo to move at least 30% of the cargo by rail,” he indicated.

“Feasibility studies were conducted for the following projects: Chipata – Petauke – Serenje rail project; Nseluka – Mpulungu railway 192km project; Livingston – Kazungula – Sesheke railway 200km project; Lusaka mass transit railway project; and Kafue to Lions’ Den Zimbabwe railway project.”