World Bank releases funds for railways facelift

The World Bank has released an initial US $2.5 million out of a total pledge of US $30 million for the Zambia Railways (ZR) infrastructure rehabilitation programme prior to the concessioning of the railway company, local news reports said on Wednesday. Deputy Minister if Communications and Transport Mann Muyuni told 'The Times of Zambia' that the funds were part of the package pledged by the World Bank which would also cover a retrenchment exercise. "The Zambia Railways rehabilitation programme is on schedule and the World Bank has so far released initial funds to facilitate the project," said Muyuni. The ZR facelift would involve major works on the rail track and rolling stock. Muyuni said the rehabilitation programme was expected to start before the end of February Muyuni added that the evaluation of tenders for the programme would begin by this week and successful bidders would be duly informed. "Government will then look at the bids for concessions soon after the rehabilitation exercise is completed probably, by the end of the year," Muyuni explained.