THE Government has continued to engage the Railway Systems of Zambia (RSZ) in talks on how best the company should enhance its operations in the wake of several complaints from stakeholders, Communications and Transport Minister, Dora Siliya has said.

Central Province Minister, Ackimson Banda has said RSZ has had no positive impact in Kabwe and the entire province since its inception in 2003.

Speaking when she called on Mr Banda at the weekend, Ms Siliya flanked by her Home Affairs counterpart, Ronnie Shikapwasha, said she was aware of the several complaints people had raised against RSZ and that was why the Government had engaged the company in talks.

"I am aware of the several concerns raised on the performance of RSZ and that is why I have come to Kabwe for a familiarisation tour as well as to hold talks with company officials.

"I know very well that everybody is anxious to see improvement of the railway operations in Zambia as the impact of trucks on roads is huge," Ms Siliya said.

She said the ultimate solution to the hurdles in the railway sector required massive investment.

The minister said the importance of a good road and railway network could not be overemphasised as it played a pivotal role in economic development.

The Government would soon make a decision to allow Zambia Railways (ZR) sell off the scrap metal which was obsolete to enable the company raise money to enhance its operations.

Ms Siliya said Zambia Railways(ZR) was not getting any grant from the Government and worse still not even a portion from the concession fees despite being appointed to monitor RSZ operations.

"I will try to persuade my counterpart at Finance to see if part of the concession fees could be availed to ZR operations," Ms Siliya said.

And Mr Banda regretted that RSZ had failed to live up to the expectations because its operations were below par.

"RSZ has not made any remarkable improvement since its inception in 2003 compared to ZR. Take a look at the infrastructure, there is no improvement and worse still even that which ZR left is being vandalised," Mr Banda said.

He said the clearing of the railway line was not being done anymore and that the locomotive workshop, which was the largest in Africa, was underutilised.

But RSZ deputy general manager, David Phiri said his company was working towards addressing the main issues that had been raised.

Mr Phiri informed Ms Siliya that his company had a programme aimed at increasing investment in order to improve operations.

Meanwhile, ZR director of finance, Regina Mwale said her company was facing problems to monitor operations of RSZ.

Ms Mwale said ZR had no powers to monitor any specifications to do with finances at the RSZ and therefore, could not even tell whether what the company declared to Governmentwas correct or not.