Transport is driveline of economy, says Govt

GOVERNMENT recognises transport as the driveline of the economy as it plays a very significant role towards the attainment of the Seventh National Development Plan, says Minister of Transport and Communication Sidney Mushanga.

Mr Mushanga said his ministry would continue to consult stakeholders on issues concerning all modes of transport and logistics whenever need arose for the betterment of the sector.

He was speaking in Siavonga at the weekend when he addressed the 23rd annual meeting of the Zambia Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport (ZCILT) at Lake Kariba Inns Hotel. In a speech read for him by the ministry’s senior official Dr Emmanuel Sampa, Mr Mushanga said the main goal of the 7th National Development plan was to create a diversified and resilient economy for sustained growth as well as social-economic transformation driven by agriculture, mining and tourism sectors.

He said ZCILT was mandated by the Act of Parliament to promote the study of art and science of logistic and transport.

Mr Mushanga said Government expected all organisations and persons running and managing logistics and transport in the country to possess necessary qualifications and must be registered with the institute in order to practice.

That entailed that all transport officers in government and in private organisations should be members of ZCILT.

Meanwhile ZCLT president Zindaba Soko who is RTSA chief executive officer, said the institute has noted with concern that some institutions had continued to employ unqualified people into positions that were supposed to be held by qualified ZCLT members according to the Act of Parliament.

Mr Soko said during the year under view, the institute managed to sign memorandums of understanding (MoUs) with various organisations including the Copperbelt Open, Truckers Association(COTA), Petroleum Transporters Association of Zambia, Truckers Association of Zambia and the RTSA) aimed at strengthening the institute.

And ZCLT international ambassador, Chief Teete Owusu appealed to Government to enforce the ZCLT Act institute to ensure that the right qualified professionals take up the positions in the sector.