By: Nghiinomenwa-vali Hangala
The Ministry of Works and Transport has revealed that it will construct more than 40 KM of railway line every year for the next 5 years.
This will translate into a new 250 KM railway line across the country.
The Works and Transport Ministry Executive Director, Jonas Sheelongo, presented their Ministerial plans to the National Council at a Stakeholder Engagement.
Sheelongo has also indicated that, on average, it will upgrade more than 1000 kilometres of existing railway every year till 2030, targeting 5,750 kilometres of railway network that will be upgraded by the end of 5 years.
At the same time, 9,710 kilometres of railway network will go under maintenance in 5 years.
The Ministry’s first strategic objective is to ensure a safe, modern and reliable infrastructure, as well as railway network development.
Beyond constructing, upgrading and maintaining, it also plans to acquire rolling stock to replace the old fleet and have adequate stock.
In the 5-year plan, the Ministry has indicated that 35 new locomotives and wagons will be acquired.
Currently, the country has 50 locomotives, with most of them aged. Only 30 are active, with only 20 being able to run on any given day.
Namibia has a total fleet of 1,572 carriers, and only 1,380 (±220 fuel, ±140 acid) are available for operations.
For the current financial year, the Ministry of Transport has received N$2.1 billion.
The Ministry planned to spend N$946 million to upgrade, construct, maintain and modernise the national railway network through TransNamib, in support of the Railway Master Plan.
This will translate into 1,000 km of railway network upgrades and 1,600 km of annual maintenance. This will contribute 28% to the country’s Railway Master Plan, according to Sheelongo.
He also told the lawmakers that his Ministry plans to review 80% of the primary legislation.
As of the 2027/28 financial year, the Ministry projected that they will receive N$2.4 billion for the transport budget.
And in the 2028/29 financial year, they project to receive N$2.8 billion from the Treasury for the transport budget.
Railway transport is considered to be crucial for internal and regional economic integration.
Moreover, it is also a key economic enabler and provides efficient bulk logistics solutions through economies of scale, moves huge volumes (pit to port) and provides regional competitiveness.
Furthermore, rail transport can also move bulk, break-bulk, containers, and dangerous goods and offers lower cost of transportation through unit cost.
erastus@thevillager.com.na
