Govt moves to support rail movement

Freeman Razemba-Senior Reporter

GOVERNMENT is considering measures to restrict the movement of heavy trucks on roads and encourage the transportation of heavy equipment and bulk commodities by rail.

This was revealed by Transport and Infrastructural Development Minister Felix Mhona last week when the National Railways of Zimbabwe (NRZ) commissioned three locomotives and 100 wagons that were recently refurbished after the State-owned enterprise received a US$2,5 million injection from mining giant Zimasco under a public-private partnership (PPP) arrangement.

The refurbishment, carried out at NRZ’s Bulawayo Mechanical Workshops, was funded through a US$2,5 million injection from mining giant Zimasco under a public-private partnership (PPP) arrangement.

Under the agreement, Zimasco funded the procurement of critical spares and consumables valued at approximately US$2,46 million.

The programme forms part of the Government’s National Development Strategy 2 (NDS 2) drive to strengthen private-sector collaboration and revive the country’s railway transport system.

In his address, Minister Mhona said infrastructure remained the cornerstone of economic development in line with President Mnangagwa’s vision.

“A fully functional railway network is not a luxury; it is a necessity for achieving our national aspiration of becoming an upper-middle-income economy by 2030. Rail remains the most cost-effective, bulk-carrying and safest mode of transport for our heavy industrial and mining output.”

Minister Mhona said the refurbished locomotives and wagons would enable NRZ and Zimasco to improve operational efficiency, thereby reducing reliance on heavy road haulage and helping to preserve newly rehabilitated national roads from premature damage.

Minister Mhona also said about 2 500 wagons still require refurbishment, while the Mutapa Investment Fund is pursuing a US$6 million loan to capacitate NRZ as demand for rail services in the mining and agriculture sectors continues to grow.

He commended President Mnangagwa’s administration for prioritising infrastructure development and said the placement of NRZ under the Mutapa Investment Fund, led by Chief Executive Officer Dr John Mangudya, was part of efforts to restore the institution.

“Our visionary leader, His Excellency, the President, Dr E.D. Mnangagwa, has consistently reminded us that infrastructure is the cornerstone of economic development,” Minister Mhona said.

He described the commissioning as another milestone in the development of viable partnerships between NRZ and the private sector.

The latest development is expected to boost NRZ’s freight capacity and improve the movement of minerals and agricultural products as the parastatal pursues partnerships aimed at recapitalising its operations.

Zimbabwe is also working on reviving rail connectivity with Botswana, Zambia, Mozambique and South Africa as part of broader efforts to reposition rail as the backbone of bulk freight transportation.

Source: Govt moves to support rail movement – herald

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