Botswana/Mozambique railway line talks on

Onalenna Kelebeile | Thursday January 16, 2014 17:13

 

 Government has already set up a project implementation unit in the Ministry of Minerals Energy and Water Resources (MMEWR).

The unit is made up of officials from the ministry and those from the Ministry of Transport and Communications.

Transport and Communications Minister Nonofo Molefhi said the signing of Memorandum of Agreement by the three countries would be followed by survey of the railway line route. This would be done after the land rights have been acquired.

Speaking at a Kgotla meeting in Botshabelo on Tuesday, Molefhi said consultations with farm owners and other stakeholders would then resume. He said negotiations were delayed last year because of elections in Zimbabwe.

Molefhi told the meeting that the project would cost over P81 billion hence the invitation to investors to run it. The business partners would be charged a certain interest so the state can benefit.

'Investors have been waiting and we are going to bring them together for common understanding,' he said.

 Molefhi revealed that a coal wash plant will be set up in Selebi-Phikwe and coal will be ferried to Mozambique by rail.

'The railway line will also ensure that Selebi-Phikwe enjoys a dry-port that will reduce production costs for companies.

'The project is earmarked for Selebi-Phikwe because the town is strategically positioned as well for purposes of economic diversification,' he said.

 Molefhi added that talks have resumed for the railway line to Namibia and he was hopeful that they would be concluded by the end of the year.

The railway line will end in Sowa and an investor will be needed to construct it from Mosetse up to Kazungula, he said.

'Government cannot afford it but we are going to float a tender for the project,' he said.  The meeting also heard that the groundbreaking ceremony for the three-year project for the  Kazungula bridge is expected in March.

 Molefhi also stated that a tender for Selebi-Phikwe/Martins Drift Road will be awarded soon and that South Africa and Botswana governments will next month sign an agreement for construction of Platjaarn bridge.

'Botswana will construct the Platjaarn bridge while South Africa will construct the one in Ramotswa.

'The two governments have decided to share the projects among themselves to facilitate trade,' he said.  Molefhe also explained that the P1 billion Tonota/Francistown road construction project that will cover Shashe and Tati bridges, will be completed soon.

He said it was necessary for government to avail that amount and construct the road because if the Shashe bridge is not attended to soon, it would present serious challenges for transportation of goods and services.

 In its condition, the government may have to impose standardised weight of goods allowed to pass over the bridge.

The instability of the bridge in the long run could also lead to its closure, forcing commuters to use the long route from Palapye through Serowe and Orapa to access the northern side of the country, he said.

Molefhi also informed the meeting of a feasibility study to reinstate the passenger train in the next three months.

He said the study sought to establish whether it is economically viable to reinstate it and fares that will be charged will enable Botswana Railways to recover its costs.

This he said was being done in response to public safety on the roads.

The minister however said bus operators have lodged complaints that the reinstatement of the passenger train would impact negatively on their businesses.

But, as the minister pointed out, public safety is paramount. He said his ministry was left with no choice but to introduce stiffer penalties on public transport operators causing road accidents that claim lives.

'Time has come for us to exercise law because we have tried and it is enough. In some instances bus operators engage temporary drivers,' he said.