{UAH} Khama launches locomotives
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12:17 PM |
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Khama launches locomotives
President Lt General Dr Seretse Khama Ian Khama says the nature of the railway industry is capital intensive.
Launching new eight locomotives at the 30th Anniversary celebrations of Botswana Railways (BR) recently, President Khama said as such the expected returns would not necessarily be realised in the short or medium term.
He explained that government, through the Ministry of Transport and Communications, continuously looked for ways to revitalise the railway industry as an economic enabler.
"Most importantly, we are aware that the railway industry continues to play a pivotal role as an economic enabler through the conveyance of both goods and passengers, also bearing in mind Botswana's railway inherent ability to transport heavy cargo that would otherwise be practically challenging to convey by other modes of transport," he added.
The President acknowledged that as a landlocked country, Botswana always had challenges in accessing sea ports to carry business.
He however explained that the country intended to exploit its geographically strategic position in the SADC region to transform into a regional transport hub, adding that Botswana's railway network was strategically laid to link to the north through Zimbabwe, Zambia and connect further.
He said the two nations of Botswana and Zambia were jointly constructing Kazungula Bridge, which aimed at promoting and opening gates of trade between the two countries and beyond.
President Khama said the bridge was dual catering for both the rail and the road components.
He said through the Ministry of Transport and Communication, government was planning to construct the railway line connecting from Mosetse to Kazungula as well as Mmamabula to Lephalale to further expand Botswana railways network, which was believed to open other business avenues and contribute positively to the socio-economic development of the region.
He said the expansion of the railway network would require reliable and efficient rolling stock to deliver quality service, adding that 'this would require skilled and competent workforce to push the business agenda.
On other issues, the President said in the recent years, Botswana Railways had been hit by the inadequacy of locomotive power, which impacted negatively on the quality of service it rendered to its customers. He said locomotives as the pulling power remained critical to the efficient running of the business of Botswana Railways.
"It is against this background that today, in an effort to improve capacity, efficiency and to prepare for the future, Botswana railways has injected eight new locomotives to its fleet of rolling stock to help remedy the challenge of reliability of its existing locomotives, which will in turn improve service delivery," he added.
President Khama appealed to Batswana to ensure they play their role in protecting the investment by BR, adding that the damage to the machines was costly to the organisation and the nation.
He lamented that time and again, BR experienced collisions with motor vehicles or stray animals. He therefore appealed to Batswana to exercise caution when crossing the railway line and ensure they keep their livestock away from the railway reserves. President Khama graduated 22 locomotive drivers, 10 artisans and 17 shunters. BOPA
President Khama (second left) and BR board chairperson, Mr Adolph Hirschfeld (left) disembarking a new locomotive during the launch of new eight locomotives at the company's 30th Anniversary celebrations in Gaborone on Thursday. President Khama said government continuously looked for ways to revitalise the railway industry as an economic enabler. Photo: Thompson Keobaletswe
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