BR unveils ambitious growth plans
Patricia Edwin | Friday August 22, 2014 13:49
Speaking during his presentation at the Francistown Investment Forum (FIF2014), which was held from August 19 to 21 at Adansonia Hotel under the theme, ‘City of Francistown: An Investment Centre of Vibrancy by 2022 - A Step Forward Top Your Investment.’ the BR Business Development Director Stephen Makuke revealed that they have several prospective investments plans they believe will contribute to Francistown’s economic growth. He said these plans would also contribute to the city attaining its Vision 2022, which is aimed at transforming Francistown into an economic hub.
Apart from plans to resume operation of the passenger train, BR is planning a railway shopping centre, a tourist train to Kasane, en-route the Mosetse and Kazungula line and another up-class tourist train called City of Francistown on Wheels. Makuke highlighted that there are endless opportunities and BR is prepared to jump on board and assist where possible to develop the northern area. He, however, said patience would be necessary as the Kazungula railway line would take about five years to complete.
“The cadastral survey is ongoing. After that we will move on to the design stage and map route,” he said, adding that progress on shopping mall is also at an advanced stage.
Makuke further said BR has initiatives aimed at unlocking capacity and creating efficiency such as Morupule Coal Mine (MCM) capacity enhancement, Botash new salt wagons, Rail Park Mall, Walvis Bay Dry Port and strategic development of new rail lines. He further said BR has reviewed its strategy in 2012 to align it to the current and future customer dictates.
The implementation of the reviewed strategy 2012 to 2017 is ongoing. Makuke also noted that the envisaged green field projects developed by the Ministry of Transport and Communication are TKP, which is a link to the West Coast. The Mosetse which links to Kazungula Line and Mmamabula - Lephalale that is the Waterberg link as well as Ponte Techobabine line which is a link to the east coast and Walvis Dry Port.