Railways Africa NewsXpress: Week 14:2024
Espresso
Bite-size takeaways
TAZARA Signs An Open Access Agreement With Bravo Group
On 20 March, TAZARA Managing Director, Eng. Bruno Ching’andu, and Bravo Group Ltd Chairperson, Ms. Angelina Ngalula, signed an Open Access Agreement at the TAZARA Headquarters in Dar es Salaam. This agreement, resulting from a competitive tender process (Ref. TZR/SUD/HQ/OPEN ACCESS/2021/11) involving local, regional, and international rail operators, enables Bravo Group to deploy rolling stock on the TAZARA railway. The partnership aims to expand economic growth and business opportunities within the Dar es Salaam Corridor.
South Africa Railway Safety Regulator Act: Publication of common safety method on risk assessment as an addendum to existing safety management system determination, for implementation and compliance by Railway Operators
South Africa Railway Safety Regulator Act: Publication of the Regulator Interface Agreements Standard for Implementation and Compliance by Railway Operators
South Africa Railway Safety Regulator Act: Publication of Draft Safety Management: Comments invited
UNTU stands with SCOPA’s Call for Accountability at PRASA
The United National Transport Union (UNTU) has announced that it firmly supports the recent call made by Parliament’s Standing Committee on Public Accounts (SCOPA) regarding the former Passenger Rail Agency of South Africa (PRASA) Board.
“We echo SCOPA’s demand for accountability from the former Board, which is responsible for the ill-fated decision to cancel the security contracts which resulted in the widespread destruction of the country’s key rail passenger lines. We emphasize that accountability shouldn’t stop with the Board alone. Former Minister of Transport, Fikile Mbalula, must be equally held responsible for the decision made during the challenging times of the COVID-19 pandemic. Cancelling security contracts without viable alternatives in place left the lives of passengers, key infrastructure, and the lifeline of our economy vulnerable, a decision we have said cannot go unchallenged. The termination of these contracts without adequate backup security measures left crucial rail lines unprotected, resulting in rampant theft, vandalism, and illegal occupation, particularly along the Metrorail Central line in Cape Town.”
UNTU fully supports SCOPA’s stance that PRASA must pursue delinquency declarations against the former board members, considering the significant financial losses incurred by this decision, amounting to billions of rands.
Egypt Sustainable Development Plan For The Fiscal Year 23/2024
The Ministry of Planning and Economic Development has announced the commencement of publishing a series of reports reviewing the Citizen Investment Plan for all Egyptian governorates for the fifth consecutive year. This initiative aims to raise awareness among citizens regarding the directions and priorities of the sustainable development plan for the fiscal year 23/2024 and its role in achieving Egypt’s Vision 2030.
The report outlines the plan’s focus on implementing 121 developmental projects in the housing services sector in Giza Governorate. Key targets in this sector include directing approximately 2.7 billion pounds towards drinking water and sanitation services, implementing 55 projects in higher education, including equipping existing educational facilities at Cairo University and executing 9 projects in the transportation sector, such as rehabilitating the subway’s second line and establishing the railway complex in Bashitil.
Project Ukuvuzelela- Automotive Rail Corridor Update
Following the Sustainable Infrastructure Development Symposium in South Africa in March 2024, it was announced that Infrastructure South Africa will be supporting the proposed Project Ukuvuzelela. This initiative is focused on developing a high-capacity rail corridor to enhance automotive volumes, as detailed in the RFP: TCC/2023/05/0001/28813/RFP titled ‘UKUVUSELELA AUTOMOTIVE PROJECT: GAUTENG – EASTERN CAPE HIGH-CAPACITY RAIL CORRIDOR FOR AUTOMOTIVE VOLUMES FROM PRETORIA TO THE PORT OF PORT ELIZABETH’. This RFP, issued by Transnet Group around May last year, involves a Turnkey EPC—Engineering, Design, Procurement, Construction and Commissioning process, and is currently under evaluation.
The goal of the project is to enhance the automotive industry’s capacity for exporting units globally. With the Durban Port facing increased congestion, the Port of Port Elizabeth has been chosen as an optimal alternative. The project plans include modifications at the Waltoo and Kaalfontein Yards, terminal upgrades at the Port of PE, and extending passing loops along the SouthCor railway route to accommodate 50-wagon trains. These updates are essential for boosting the annual transportation of Fully Built Units by 2026.
President @CyrilRamaphosa took a guided tour of the Newlyn Park Bayhead Rail Terminal – a showcase of the warehouse operational yards and the incorporation of the new rail infrastructure.
The development facilitates an integrated ecosystem yielding benefits to freight owners,… pic.twitter.com/gJE1fL3Vuv
— The Presidency (@PresidencyZA) April 4, 2024
Coming up…
Feedback from last week’s Land-Linked Zambia – Africa’s Transport and Logistics Indaba will be in the next edition of Railways Africa Magazine.
Discover Available Financing Opportunities Under The European Union For Infrastructure Projects In Southern Africa
Our latest Coffee with the Editor features Claudio Bacigalupi, Head of Cooperation at the EU Delegation to Zambia and COMESA, who will be presenting at the upcoming Land-Linked Zambia 2024 event. Scheduled for the 4th and 5th of April 2024 at Ciela Resort in Lusaka, this event is themed “Connecting Zambia and SADC by land to facilitate trade, investments, and ease of movement of goods and people.”
Bacigalupi’s presentation, titled “Available Financing Opportunities Under The European Union,” will explore the ways in which the EU supports infrastructure and development projects in the region and their involvement in Zambia.
In this Coffee with the Editor, we discuss the European Union’s strategic interventions in communication, transportation, and energy infrastructure across the Southern Africa region and the broader continent. highlighting the intrinsic link between economic development and connectivity.
We also touch on Key projects such as the enhancement of the Lobito Corridor railway line, the urgent rehabilitation needs of Zambia Railways and the critical infrastructure projects set to support Zambia’s economic growth and regional connectivity.
Book your seat at the upcoming Land-Linked Zambia 2024 event to find out more about Available Financing Opportunities Under The European Union – and how to access it!
To register as a delegate please visit: http://www.africastzambia.org/ or call: +260 951596529 or email: theoffice@africastzambia.org.
BUSINESS OPPORTUNITIES
Business Opportunities brought to you by TRAXTION
