adminOver the years when the country was experiencing an economic meltdown the NRZ recorded reduced freight and passenger movement as customers preferred road transportation which proved to be more reliable.
The NRZ had forecast to move 6,4 million tonnes of freight traffic this year, up from 5,3 million tonnes moved last year.
Mr Masikati said the parastatal would not be able to meet the projected targets.
“The business that we had anticipated has so far not transpired because we can only move what is availed,” he said.
“I do not have the actual figures yet but most of our clients who had pledged to avail business to us did not get the business they had anticipated.”
Mr Masikati said the slow recovery of some economic sectors which are major clients had also resulted in the reduced freight tonnage.
Statistics show that the energy and mining sectors account for a sizeable percentage of the gross tonnage that the railway carries, through commodities that include coal and coke products, petrol, diesel, aviation fuel, iron and steel, limestone, chrome ore, granite and nickel.
Mr Masikati, however, maintained that the NRZ was geared to meet the target despite challenges.
Currently 65 locomotives, 3 271 wagons and 158 coaches are functional against an optimum average requirement of 83 locomotives, 4 262 wagons and 145 coaches.
The ongoing refurbishment and repair of wagons and locomotives is also expected to give more capacity to the NRZ.
Meanwhile, Mr Masikati said the parastatal was moving on with the rail replacement programme.
“We have managed to remove cautions and speed restrictions on the Dabuka-Rutenga line and the Dabuka-Harare line and about US$4 million is about to be availed for other areas in need of repair or replacement,” he said. — New Ziana.
Online Reporter
Bongani Ndlovu