Africa-Press – Botswana. The planned railway line connecting Botswana and Namibia will ease trade and create employment for the two countries’ people, thus serve as a catalyst for their prosperity.
The two countries ministers whose portfolios cover the project, Mr Eric Molale of transport and public works and Mr John Mutorwa of Namibia’s works and transport committed to ensuring the project took of soon.
They made the undertaking at the closing ceremony of the joint ministerial committee meeting held here July 13.
Minister Molale said progress was being made and he was optimistic that with high level of commitment, the project would move to the next stage and take-off soon.
He said the railway line would open up the Southern Africa and Africa, especially in light of the fact that major regional seaports, especially in Mozambique and South Africa, were congested.
“The railway line will help to decongest those seaports and transform the economy alongside enabling economic integration. Due to healthier turnaround time at the dry port facility at the Port of Walvis Bay, the anticipated railway will be an essential enhancement,” he said.
He added that the railway line would also heighten and facilitate economic activity at the port for the two countries, their neighbours and the rest of Africa.
The railway would also reduce heavy truck traffic on the Trans-Kalahari highway, which needed constant maintenance as a result. Minister Molale urged the rail authorities of both countries, to expedite construction of the railway.
His counterpart, Mr Mutorwa hailed the Presidents of the two countries for leading the way and cementing the existing partnership between their countries.
He said the Trans-Kalahari railway line was an important project particularly that the Dry Port facility at the Port of Walvis Bay served SADC and consequently Africa.
“ [While] the Trans-Kalahari road is serving its purpose, the development of a railway will be a giant step as it can take much more than the road,” he said and echoed the call for expedited construction by all stakeholders.
“This type of project will not only serve our generation but [will] upcoming generations also. With commitment we will be there…we should proceed in that spirit,” he said.
In an interview, Joint Steering Committee member and Botswana Railways Board chairperson, Mr Mmoloki Ramaeba said they had been tasked with implementing project. Mr Ramaeba said the railway line, which would be around 1 500km long with a larger portion of it in Botswana, would ensure flawless transportation of cargoe.
“The project is feasible particularly that we have drawn experience from recent projects,” he said.
For his part, TransNamib Holdings LTD marketing and sales manager, Mr Zebby Mukungu said theb railway line was a strategic project that would enable seamless movement of goods and people between the two counties.
“Fuel, coal and copper are among goods that will be transported via the railway line,” he said.
The railway line, which will be integrated into existing railways in Botswana and Namibia, will pass through Molepolole, Letlhakeng, Charleshill enroute to Gobabis .
The special committee for the railway is scheduled to meet again in Swakopmund, Namibia on August 25.
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