MALAWI WORRIED OVER INCREASED RAIL ACCIDENTS

Government has cried over the increase of railway accidents despite efforts being made by stakeholders to reduce the same.

Deputy Minister of Transport and Public Works Nancy Chaola Mdooko said this in Machinga when she launched this year’s Railway Safety Week on Tuesday.

Mdooko said, “As government we are very concerned with the railway accidents and we are still registering an average of two accidents per month. Our wish is for the country to be registering zero cases.”

The deputy Minister said the government and other stakeholders like Nacala Logistics have intensified awareness campaigns to make sure that such accidents should not be registered in the future.

Nacala Logistics External affairs Specialist Joyce Malongo said vandalism has also been a challenge.

“Most of the accidents involve people who are mentally ill, beer drunkards and the Kabanza operators. This is worrisome on our part as service provider,” said Malongo.

This year’s rail safety week is commemorated under the theme; “Be vigilant on the tracks, trains are fast but slow to stop.” It is being commemorated from October 16 to 22.