Wina outlines vision to transform Zambia
VICE president Inonge Winsa says that the country’s vision under President Edgar Lungu is to transform it into regional transport hub in Southern Africa.
Ms Wins said that the country under the Patriotic Front (PF) government has embarked on a mammoth task of infrastructure development such as the link Zambia 8000 road project which has opened up the country as well as connected the country to its neighboring countries.
She said that this will translate into the transformation of the Zambia from a landlocked country into a land linked country.
Ms Wina was speaking when she officially opened the regional meeting of Port Management Association of Eastern and Southern Africa (PMAESA) held at David Livingstone Hotel in Livingstone on Wednesday.
“Let me mention that although Zambia is a land-linked country, we are thrilled to host this conference because the ports and maritime sector is more often than not, only associated with coastal areas.
“However, in land maritime sector as well as inland dry ports are increasingly becoming integrated into the regional transport and logistics supply chain through initiative such as the COMESA-EAC tripartite free trade and the continental free trade area (CFTA),” she said.
The vice president disclosed that the feasibility study for the development of Mpulungu Port aimed at increasing capacity and performance of the port is almost concluding.
“Zambia is blessed with four major lakes and rivers and in particular, we pride ourselves with Lake Tanganyika, the home of Mpulungu Habour, our main gateway to the Great Lakes Region…the main cargo going through Mpulungu and other ports on Lake Tanganyika include cement, sugar, fertilizer, petroleum products, machinery, and containerized cargo,” she said.
“Transport plays a very important role in the movement of goods and services and Zambia realizes the importance of developing all the four modes of transport that is, road, air, rail and water,” said Ms. Wina.
Ms. Wina stated that government recognises the importance of the maritime sector as waterway transport is more economical among the other benefits when compared to surface transport modes.
The vice president further called for an inclusive approach in the manner matters related transportation and infrastructure development are addressed.
She believes that land-linked countries play a pivotal role in responding to global competition, feeding coastal ports, regional integration, intra- Africa trade and contribution to the overall development.
“Like Zambia, the land-linked countries provide connectivity for the transiting of goods and people among countries in their respective regions. For Zambia, the Northern circuit provides a golden opportunity to ensure food security in the great lakes region,” she said.
Ms. Wina commended the ministry of Transport and Communications, and the Mpulungu Habour Corporation limited (MHCL) for the role they played in hosting the conference.
Speaking at the same event, COMESA assistant secretary general-programmes Ambassador Kipyego Chuluget said that despite transport and logistics playing a critical role economic growth, Sub- Sahara
Africa has the highest transport cost and handling timer compared to the rest of world.
Dr. Chuluget said that Africa’s poor competitiveness globally is often attributed to quality institutions, infrastructure, macroeconomic policies, education and technological adoption.
He said that the persistent infrastructure deficit is a major barrier to regional integration saying that this therefore, calls for development of adequate and efficient infrastructure systems.
Dr. Chuluget noted that largest component of infrastructure relates to transport.
“Maritime infrastructure in particular, accounts for about 90 percent of the global trade hence the need to focus on this subsector. Maritime ports remain key gateway for cargo to and from global markets as they are the interface nodes between surface and maritime transport,” he said.