The Zambian government has refuted reports that the Tanzania-Zambia Railway Authority (Tazara) – a joint venture between the two countries – will end on August 1 this year to allow the two to operate the railway firm separately.

Zambian minister for Transport, Works, Supply and Communications, Yamfwa Mukanga, was quoted by his country’s local newspapers yesterday as saying the reported pronouncement by Tanzania was not what was discussed at a recent Tazara Council of Ministers meeting in Lusaka.

READ: Dar, Lusaka to manage Tazara individually

Mr Mukanga, however, said if that was what Tanzania wanted, the Zambian part of the rail was ready to operate as an independent entity.

“We did not discuss that... but we spoke about a mapping strategy on how we will enhance the operations of Tazara and the introduction of call centres,’’ he said.

Earlier this week, Tanzanian Transport minister, Dr Harison Mwakyembe, told a news conference in Dar es Salaam that Tanzania Zambia Railways Authority (Tazara) would operate the cross-border routes separately following an agreement by the partner governments to each take care of its side of the rail network.

He said Tanzania would oversee the operations between Dar es Salaam and Tunduma while Zambia would take charge of activities between Tunduma and Kapiri-Mposhi, a strategy aimed at improving the performance within three months.

Regional managers for both sides would be in charge of the new system and their performance would be evaluated at the end of the three months, he said. “I urge Tazara employees to work hard and ensure that the regional railway is standing alone,” said Dr Mwakyembe.

The move, according to him, was part of the resolutions made during a July 4 meeting of the Tazara Council of Ministers that involved ministers of Transport, Finance and Industry in Lusaka, Zambia.

Efforts to reach the Tanzanian transport minister and his deputy yesterday proved futile.