By Grace Chekai
…as the rail utility finds suppliers of critical equipment
In a move designed to prevent total collapse of National Railways of Zimbabwe (NRZ), the rail utility has come up with a comprehensive recapitalization program, Harare Post can report.
Part of the program involves partnering supplies of critical equipment.
According to an inside source, the NRZ has engaged PT Inker of Indonesia to supply 200 wagons and five locomotives. The Source said the delegation from Indonesia is expected in Zimbabwe from 18 to 21 March to push for the deal.
The delegation is expected to evaluate the status of NRZ`s operations and its material resources. The visit follows a similar one to Indonesia by NRZ senior officials from 28 November to 2 December 2019.
The officials had gone to seek assistance on capacity building and recapitalization. The source said PT Inker will have discussions with Bedrock, a company which pledged to buy locomotives and wagons from PT Inker.
The Indonesian parastatal is contemplating to sign a Tripartite Agreement with NRZ and Bedrock in which the later will pay for the locomotives and wagons made by PT Inker. The locomotives and wagons made will be supplied to NRZ which will use them to transport coking coal using the Hwange-Beitbridge railway.
NRZ is also reportedly engaging United Wagon Company (Uniwagon) from Russia to supply it with 100 wagons. Afreximbank has pledged to finance the project valued at US$10 million.
This development by NRZ to partner with PT Inker comes after Government cancelled the US$400 million deal with Diaspora Infrastructure Development Group (DIDG) last year for failing to meet agreed timelines. The other reason was that DIDG had cut ties with South Africa`s publicly owned rail operator, Transnet, which was part of the consortium agreed in the initial tender award, raising legal complications.
The recapitalisation of the NRZ will make the transportation of freight cheaper and subsequently puts Zimbabwean goods on a high pedestal to compete in the global market.
