Africa-Press – Botswana. Minister of Transport and Public Works, Mr Eric Molale and Namibia’s Minister of Works Transport, Mr John Mutorwa have reaffirmed their commitment to continue working closely together, to further deepen and consolidate the strategic cooperation and partnership in the areas of transport infrastructure.
According to a joint communiqué from the Joint Ministerial Committee (JMC) meeting of the Trans-Kalahari Railway (TKR) Line Project that was held in Swakopmund, Namibia on Friday, the meeting considered the outcome of the call for Expression of Interest (EOI), floated last year September as well as the proposed operational budget for the TKR-PMO for the 2024/2025 financial year.
The two ministers as per the communique, acknowledged the progress made in the EOI and expressed appreciation for the keen interest demonstrated by national, regional and international industry stakeholders.
“Additionally, they reviewed the report detailing the evaluation and adjudication of EOI submissions conducted by the Project Management Office (PMO) and JSC Procurement Committees,” it adds.
The communiqué states that EOI was approved by the JMC meeting of August 30, 2023 for funding the feasibility study and development of the proposed new TKR Line linking Botswana and Namibia, which was subsequently publicly and widely advertised on September 6, 2023 on various platforms including online and print media in both countries.
“The EOI was further sent to the foreign ministries in both member states to facilitate a wider coverage through their embassies and high commissions.
The advert was also sent to the organisation responsible for trade facilitations in both member states (that is Botswana Investment and Trade Centre and the Namibia Investment Promotion and Development Board),”explains the communiqué.
Following deliberations, the communiqué says ministers noted and approved that the TKR-PMO be strengthened with requisite expertise, with the view to expedite the drafting of the comprehensive Terms of Reference for the Request for Proposals (RFPs) among others.
In line with the Roadmap of the TKR project, it says the ministers also directed that once finalised and approved, the RFPs be issued to the short-listed respondents by March, to enable the appointment of a successful respondent by May.
“While reiterating their government commitment to realising this important project, the two ministers expressed satisfaction at the work done by the Rail Authorities and senior officials and the stated timelines be met,” says the communiqué.
Further, the communiqué says ministers underscored the need to continue nurturing the warm and excellent bilateral relations that exists between Botswana and Namibia, which are anchored on long-standing historical and political bonds and common cultural heritage, to continue enhancing socio-economic development.
Mr Molale was accompanied by the ministry’s permanent secretary and JSC co-chairperson, Mr Kgakgamalo Ketshajwang and deputy permanent secretary and JSC co-chairperson, Mr Johannes Tsimako as well as Botswana Railways and senior government officials from the Ministries of Transport and Public Works as well as Finance.
He, as per the communiqué, expressed appreciation to Minister Mutorwa for the excellent hospitality rendered to the Botswana delegation for the duration of their visit, and further used the occasion to extend an invitation to Mr Mutorwa to attend the next JMC meeting, scheduled to be held in Botswana, at the date to be communicated through diplomatic channels.
Mr Mutorwa on the other hand was accompanied by the ministry’s executive director and co-chairperson of the Joint Steering Committee (JSC), Ms Esther Kaapanda, deputy executive director and co-chairperson of the Joint TechnicalCommitee (JTC), Mr Jonas Sheelongo, as well as Namibia Ports Authority, Walvis Bay Corridor Group and TransNamib and senior government officials from Ministry of Works and Transport and Ministry of Finance and Public Enterprises.
The JMC was preceded by the JSC, which was co-chaired by Ms Kaapanda and Mr Ketshajwang and was also attended by High Commissioner of Botswana to Namibia, Mr Phemelo Rankoro, accompanied by senior officials from the High Commission.
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