President Michael Sata has appointed Professor Clive Chirwa as Zambia Railways Limited Chief Executive Officer with immediate effect.
Prof. Chirwa replaces Knox Karima who has been retired in national interest.
President Sata in his letter of appointment to Professor Chirwa says he has deemed it appropriate and opportune to appoint him as Chief Executive Officer of Zambia Railways Limited.
The Head of State stated that the rail line has deteriorated beyond description during the concession to Railway Systems of Zambia, which the Government recently terminated.
He says millions of tonnes of both imports and exports which should have been transported by rail were diverted to road transport in the process exerting a very severe toll on the country’s roads, stating that the costs to the economy has been and is unsustainable.
President Sata further stated that it would take a lot of effort to sort out the country’s rail line including the inter-mine rail, which is so critical to the efficiency of the mining sector.
The Head of State says he has confidence in Professor Chirwa’s ability to use his vast reservoir of knowledge to help the country to revamp the railway network that results in a rail system that will create the necessary economic impetus.
President Sata says government has taken a positive move in this direction by allocating K640 billion for the rehabilitation of the rail line.
Meanwhile, President Sata has given former Zambia Railways Limited Chief Executive Officer Knox Karima a one month notice in which to facilitate a smooth hand-over to the incoming Chief Executive Officer.
The President has thanked Mr. Karima for the services rendered during his tenure of office.
Prof. Chirwa is a distinguished Professor of Automotive & Aerospace Structures and Chair of Automotive & Aerospace Engineering.
He is also Editor-in-Chief of The International Journal of Crashworthiness and Advisor to UK, Australia, USA, EU, Japan, Canada and Singapore Governments. on Trans Safety among many other internationally recognised credentials and achievements.