Africa-Press – Angola. The Zambian president, Hakainde Hichilema, expressed this Thursday, in Lobito (Benguela), his satisfaction at finding out about the potential of the Lobito Corridor.
After watching an institutional video, Hakainde Hickilema questioned whether the Port of Lobito could reach the level of Walvis Bay, in Namibia, according to the Angolan Minister of Transport, Ricardo D’Abreu, to the press.
In response, the Angolan official stated that the Port of Lobito has the advantage of being much closer to his country, in terms of commercial transactions, and has a very different potential from that which Walvis Bay can guarantee.
He took the opportunity to explain that the Lobito Corridor has several dimensions, namely the infrastructure available at port and rail level and a set of benefits that Angola can provide for Zambia, particularly in the field of agribusiness and the manufacturing industry.
In his opinion, if the conditions for the concession are created, the Consortium Trafigura Pte, Vecturis, SA and Mota Engil, winner of the tender, will improve and further streamline the operational capacity and, on the other hand, ensure that there is support infrastructure and all logistical activity along the Corridor.
“We are talking about two logistical platforms, one in Caála, Huambo province and another in Luau, Moxico, which will enhance the Corridor, mainly for goods that are in transit to the country.
Ricardo D’Abreu stated that the Lobito Corridor does not end for Zambia and for the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), it can go further, “this is what we are doing in joint work as a consortium”.
Asked about the start of operations of the Consortium, he said that at the moment his Ministry is finalizing the necessary administrative acts that could end as early as this month of January.
The Consortium will be responsible for the management, operation and maintenance of infrastructure and the transport of heavy goods in the Corridor, will ensure maintenance services in the workshops of the Benguela Railway (CFB) and the dynamization of the Training Center in Huambo .
It also contemplates the possibility of building a branch line that will connect Angola to Zambia, from Ruacana to Jimbe (Moxico), close to the border with that country.
The CFB will handle the transport of passengers and small goods.
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