ZAMBIA Railways Limited (ZRL) has appointed Cuthbert Malindi as the new Managing Director.

And Mr Malindi has declared that his main objective will be to turn-around the locomotive company into a viable institution.

ZANIS reports that Mr Malindi was speaking during the courtesy call on Central province Minister Mwabashike Nkulukusa, Mr Malindi saying that  despite taking up what some people would call an impossible task, the kind of skills and exposure that he has acquired and the expertise from the Board of Directors will help turn around the institution into a viable establishment.

And ZRL Board Chairperson Emmanuel Hachipuka said the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) has been strategically selected to help transform the company into a viable business entity that everyone would aspire for.

Mr Hachipuka said the CEO will ensure the thrust for the new strategic business plan which aims at removing temporary speed restrictions, repair of the existing rolling stock and the acquisition of new equipment.

He said one of the pressing challenges facing ZRL is the current track condition which is aged and in poor condition.

Mr Hachipuka said the current track condition can only support average speed of about 15 kilometers per hour.

And Central Province Minister Mwabashike Nkulukusa said ZRL was a very strategic asset in the development of the Zambian economy and Central Province in particular.

Mr Nkulukusa said people cannot talk about revitalization of the economy and making the economy grow without talking about the transport sector and the railway line is not an exception.

He has challenged the ZRL to take advantage of the government’s vision of expanding the production of copper to 1-million tones by positioning itself as a suitable transporter of minerals.