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Transport, Works Supply & Communications
by Boards of Directors appointed by the line Minis-
ters from the line Ministries. The reforms marked the
beginning of substantial investment of funds in the
sector. More significantly, investors are getting the
most out of the efficient road network system. With
Zambia recording a maize bumper harvest during
the 2009/2010 farming season, besides increasing
copper output from the new mines such as Lumwana
Mines, Konkola Deep Mine and Chambishi Non-Fer-
rous Metals, the export of products is easily facili-
tated by the RTSA issuing cross border permits for
unimpeded access across borders. Investors are still
being encouraged to invest as the industry is totally
liberalised and the market is assured.
“There can never be any development in any coun-
try if you do not have an efficient transport system.
Good transport is vital to the development of a coun-
try and its economy.”
Fredrick Mwalusaka
Director and CEO
The RTSA has seen tremendous growth in the num-
ber of vehicles licensed. Between the years 2007
and 2010, the RTSA had registered a total of 107,
181 motor vehicles. By the end of 2010, there was a
considerable increase of approximately 47%. There
is approximately 1, 527, 000 licensed drivers in Zam-
bia, which is a vital recipe for any growing economy.
The RTSA continues to support improvements in the
roadworthiness of vehicles on the Zambian roads.
The Agency has set high standards and motor ve-
hicles are inspected annually for fitness before they
are licensed. There is tangible evidence that most of
the vehicles on the Zambian roads meet basic road
safety standards resulting in a reduction of avoidable
accidents.
Zambia, with a national population size of approxi-
mately 12 million people and total motor vehicle and
trailer population size of 337, 513, the motor vehicle
ownership ratio is 36 persons to every motor vehicle.
This ratio gives an opportunity for investors in pas-
senger services sector of the public transport indus-
try. Public transport is a rapidly growing sector and
investors who are ready to inject quality transport are
certain to receive high value returns. The importance
of public transport cannot be over-emphasised as it
moves the movers of the economy – people.
In order to enhance trade and reduce the cost of do-
ing business, the RTSA is participating in the Busi-
ness Licensing Reforms Programme that is being
spearheaded by the Private Sector Development
Programme. The objectives of the Business Licens-
ing Reforms is partly to reduce the number of licenc-
es required to enter and participate in the industry
and reduce the time it takes to issue the qualifying
licences.
“A number of people have argued that transport is
a catalyst for development. For me transport is not
only a catalyst but a precursor to national economic
development, you need to have transport for devel-
opment to take place”
Fredrick Mwalusaka
Director and CEO
The RTSA desires to attain the most efficient and
safe road transport system through development and
sustaining strategic alliances with the private sec-
tor. This alliance is intended to enhance awareness
about road transport and safety among individuals,
communities and the country as a whole. Through
these strategic alliances, the RTSA is working at de-
veloping work place road safety programmes, road
safety school programmes and community based
road safety programmes targeting vulnerable road
users such as cyclists, pedestrians, passengers and
drivers of various user groups including Public Ser-
vice Vehicle (PSV) driver.
As a result, the RTSA has launched a robust road
safety campaign called “Be Road Smart – Life is Pre-
cious.” Through this programme, the RTSA is work-
ing with mobile phone companies to discourage the
use of mobile phones while in control of a motor ve-
hicle, liquor brewing companies to discourage drink
driving and media and publicity firms to publicize
road safety materials. The RTSA is also working
with insurance firms in order to promote motorists
taking at least the third party motor vehicle insurance
as a means to minimize trauma and distress in the
event of a crash occurring.
The RTSA has also cultured and nurtured close re-
lationships with the Ministry of Education to promote
road safety education in schools. Teaching road
safety skills to children provides lifelong benefits to
society and should be seen as a long-term interven-
tion. A number of programmes have therefore been
rolled-out to schools covering pupils, trainers and
wardens. The Agency continues to partner with rel-
evant the stakeholders like the Zambia Police Ser-
vice and local authorities to enhance road safety
enforcement in order to improve compliance to road
transport and safety laws and regulations. A number
of enforcement equipment has been shared with the
Zambia Police. In all its undertakings, the RTSA has
also identified programmes in which private sector
can participate through Public Private Partnership