Zambia on course to improve transport systems: official

The Zambian government said on Monday that it was on course to ensure improved transport systems in the country.

Minister of Transport and Communication Brian Mushimba said the government was working towards the provision of a sustainable transport system for all its citizens with improved road safety measures.

"In line with the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, we need to build resilient and modern systems to ensure among others, the provision of sustainable transport networks for all with improved road safety features," he said in remarks delivered at the ongoing United Nations (UN) Global Sustainable Transport Conference in Turkmenistan, according to a statement released by his office.

The government, he said, has enhanced road safety education and will install technological devices to help control reckless behavior on the roads, adding that the government will be putting in place policies to promote the use of rail to transport bulk heavy cargo as a way of decongesting the roads and making them safer.

"Greenfield railway spurs are high on the agenda to further link Zambia to the eastern and western ports of Africa. In aviation, Zambia has commenced the modernization and upgrading of airport infrastructure for international airports, provincial and selected district aerodromes," he added.

The conference was officially opened by UN secretary-general Ban Ki-Moon who called on UN member countries to work towards achieving Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) whose aspirations were to improve the lives of people across the world. Endit