Botswana must develop a
rail network since its roads
cannot continue to handle current
volumes.
According to Modise
Koofhethile, managing director
of Gaborone Container Terminal
(Gabcon), there has been a definite
realisation by government that
the neglected rail network has to
be upgraded and that minerals,
at least, should be on rail and not
road.
“Rail is an efficient mode
of transport if done properly,”
Koofhethile told FTW recently.
“Yes, the railway services have
always focused on minerals and
containers, but due to a lack of
capacity – be it rolling stock or
locomotives – this has translated
into unreliable services and more
cargo has been moved via road. At
the same time there has been very
little investment in building the
rail capacity and infrastructure.
This will all change as we see more
investment on rail in the future.”
Koofhethile said there was
a clear indication from the
Botswana government that rail
infrastructure would be addressed
in the near future.
“We are seeing the government
involved in high-level talks with
several other countries to develop
rail networks – and construction
in some regions is expected to
start as soon as next year.”
He said the development of a
rail link between Botswana and
Namibia as well as Botswana and
Zambia had been welcomed across
the board.
“We are very reliant on our
neighbours. Currently we have
some big challenges in getting
our cargo as it is all on road –
which is not only expensive, but
it has become near impossible
to maintain the roads as they
were just not built to handle this
volume of goods.”
He said Botswana’s decision to
raise funds for road maintenance
through a charge on the fuel levy
rather than through tollgates has
become a bone of contention.
“Many transporters are filling
up on diesel in neighbouring
countries and then transporting
through Botswana without
refuelling here. Effectively one
could argue they are then using
the roads for free.”
He said with funds for
transport infrastructure limited
it was important to find new and
innovative ways of raising money
for the necessary rail and road
infrastructure.
“We have to ensure our networks
are not only developed but
maintained as we move to grow
our economy.”
CAPTION
Road infrastructure taking strain … impossible to maintain the roads
as they were just not built to handle this volume of goods.
