By Martin Lubasi Lubasi
CRUZ allied workers union of Zambia president Bevis Silumbe says the revitalisation of the Tanzania Zambia Railway Authority (TAZARA) has brought hope to workers that the issue of delayed salaries will be a thing of the past.
Speaking in an interview with Daily Revelation Newspaper over the Weekend. Silumbe noted that the union expects the government to prioritize the issue of salaries once operations resume.
“After the revitalisation of TAZARA, the union hopes the issue of delayed salaries will be the thing of the past. As you are aware, TAZARA on the Zambian side has been struggling to pay its workers. We expect that when operations begin, the issue of salaries will be dealt with,” he said.
The Cruz Allied Workers Union president also called on the government to engage unions in the implementation process to avoid misunderstandings with workers.
Meanwhile, Kapiri Mposhi District Commissioner Francis Hasalama says Kapiri Mposhi district is poised to transform into a city.
Hasalama said the revitalisation of the TAZARA rail line and other developmental activities in the district were making Kapiri Mposhi grow at a fast rate.
The district commissioner further disclosed that the ongoing expansion of Kapiri Mposhi included the construction of a dry port, a recreation facility, and a new modern stadium.
“Kapiri Mposhi is going to be growing at a very fast rate, and it is going to be a new city with new things. The revitalisation of TAZARA will bring a lot of economic value to Zambia, and the rail line and everything else is getting renewed, and it will be a mode of economic value to Zambia. Things will come from China to Kapiri, and it will be very economical for people to buy from here,” Hasalama said.
Hasalama also urged Zambian TAZARA workers to emulate the work ethic of their Chinese counterparts.
On November 20, 2025, President Hakainde Hichilema launched the TAZARA Revitalization Project in Lusaka, joined by Tanzania’s Vice President John Nchimbi and China’s Premier Li Qiang.
