TransNamib buys new locomotives
TransNamib has secured a ten-year rail transport agreement that makes provision for the transportation of sulphuric acid to Dundee's acid plant in Tsumeb.
TransNamib this week announced the purchase of six new General Electric locomotives. The minister of works and transport, Alpheus !Naruseb, commissioned the locomotives.
“The rolling stock what you see here today is a culmination of careful planning as a countermeasure to serious multiple derailments encountered in late 2011 as well as the cabinet decision in 2012, when, following successful consultations between government, Dundee Precious Metals Tsumeb (DPMT) and the Tsumeb community, a commitment was secured to build a sulphuric acid production plant as an extension and diversification of the age-old Tsumeb Smelter,” said !Naruseb.
“As a prudent government, we were very happy to learn that TransNamib had entered into a first of its kind ten-year rail transport agreement worth over N$1 billion with DPMT to transport sulphuric acid and copper concentrate on the Walvis Bay–Tsumeb corridor. This was an important consideration for our sponsoring of the equipment that stands before us,” !Naruseb said.
While acting TransNamib CEO Hippy Tjivikua was happy about the purchase, it was a concern to him that only six locomotives were purchased in stark contrast to the 1 064 bought by South African rail operator Transnet, 100 in Angola and 125 in Mozambique.
“It is quite worrying that we want to position Namibia as a transport and logistics hub, yet the capacity of our locomotives, rolling stock and rail infrastructure remains a worrying factor that is not commensurate with the business in Southern Africa. Therefore, we have to go big. Please allow us to recapitalise TransNamib and the rail subsector,” Tjivikua said.
Besides the locomotives, 90 acid tankers and cargo-handling equipment were also bought. Allaying possible fears of patronage, Tjivikua said: “The source of funding for all the locomotives, acid tankers and reach stackers was made possible with funding from the government of the Republic of Namibia. It should be noted that the ... procurement of this equipment was done above board, transparently and without state capture.”
DPMT vice-president and managing director Zebra Kasete said of the purchase made by TransNamib: “For any country to attract investment, it must have a reliable and efficient transport system, which ensures that the product arrives at the destination and reaches the customer in the shortest possible time.”
OGONE TLHAGE
“The rolling stock what you see here today is a culmination of careful planning as a countermeasure to serious multiple derailments encountered in late 2011 as well as the cabinet decision in 2012, when, following successful consultations between government, Dundee Precious Metals Tsumeb (DPMT) and the Tsumeb community, a commitment was secured to build a sulphuric acid production plant as an extension and diversification of the age-old Tsumeb Smelter,” said !Naruseb.
“As a prudent government, we were very happy to learn that TransNamib had entered into a first of its kind ten-year rail transport agreement worth over N$1 billion with DPMT to transport sulphuric acid and copper concentrate on the Walvis Bay–Tsumeb corridor. This was an important consideration for our sponsoring of the equipment that stands before us,” !Naruseb said.
While acting TransNamib CEO Hippy Tjivikua was happy about the purchase, it was a concern to him that only six locomotives were purchased in stark contrast to the 1 064 bought by South African rail operator Transnet, 100 in Angola and 125 in Mozambique.
“It is quite worrying that we want to position Namibia as a transport and logistics hub, yet the capacity of our locomotives, rolling stock and rail infrastructure remains a worrying factor that is not commensurate with the business in Southern Africa. Therefore, we have to go big. Please allow us to recapitalise TransNamib and the rail subsector,” Tjivikua said.
Besides the locomotives, 90 acid tankers and cargo-handling equipment were also bought. Allaying possible fears of patronage, Tjivikua said: “The source of funding for all the locomotives, acid tankers and reach stackers was made possible with funding from the government of the Republic of Namibia. It should be noted that the ... procurement of this equipment was done above board, transparently and without state capture.”
DPMT vice-president and managing director Zebra Kasete said of the purchase made by TransNamib: “For any country to attract investment, it must have a reliable and efficient transport system, which ensures that the product arrives at the destination and reaches the customer in the shortest possible time.”
OGONE TLHAGE
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