News / National
31 new NRZ wagons commissioned
04 Nov 2016 at 15:44hrs | Views
Transport and Infrastructural Development Minister Dr Joram Gumbo has commissioned 31 National Railways of Zimbabwe wagons in Bulawayo this Friday in a move that is seen as a first step towards turning around the fortunes of the parastatal that has gone down in recent years.
The 31 cargo wagons were acquired at a cost of US$2.9 million from CRRC Corporation, the largest world manufacturer of wagons which is a state-owned Chinese company.
The commissioning of the 31 open-top high sided wagons is part of initiatives that government is taking to boost NRZ's capacity to move more bulk cargo, and a step towards the fulfillment of some of ZIM ASSET demands under the Infrastructure Development Cluster that falls under Minister Joram Gumbo's portfolio.
Speaking at the commissioning ceremony in Bulawayo this Friday, Minister Gumbo said he is aware that the NRZ infrastructure needs a major overhaul and rehabilitation to bring it to its original capacity levels and that it needs to be up to date with current technological improvements.
The Minister has given a clear mandate to the responsible boards of the NRZ on the need to revive the organisation within the shortest time-frame.
Minister Gumbo said government would want to see a situation where road and rail co-exist, with clear separation of roles but complimentary to each other where roads will provide feeder services mainly, especially where there is no rail link.
Dr Gumbo told NRZ board and management during the commissioning that a transport master plan study has already been commissioned to help government in coming up with a sustainable transportation system which optimises on the core competences of each mode of transport from air, rail, road and waterways.
The 31 cargo wagons were acquired at a cost of US$2.9 million from CRRC Corporation, the largest world manufacturer of wagons which is a state-owned Chinese company.
The commissioning of the 31 open-top high sided wagons is part of initiatives that government is taking to boost NRZ's capacity to move more bulk cargo, and a step towards the fulfillment of some of ZIM ASSET demands under the Infrastructure Development Cluster that falls under Minister Joram Gumbo's portfolio.
The Minister has given a clear mandate to the responsible boards of the NRZ on the need to revive the organisation within the shortest time-frame.
Minister Gumbo said government would want to see a situation where road and rail co-exist, with clear separation of roles but complimentary to each other where roads will provide feeder services mainly, especially where there is no rail link.
Dr Gumbo told NRZ board and management during the commissioning that a transport master plan study has already been commissioned to help government in coming up with a sustainable transportation system which optimises on the core competences of each mode of transport from air, rail, road and waterways.
Source - zbc
