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relations manager Fanuel Masikati said material for the work had already been secured from China. But he would not say how much this would cost.
“We have 12 000 tonnes of rail in stock which we acquired from China which will be welded into 144km of rail,” he said.
He said areas in need of repair included sections of rail along the Dabuka-Harare and Harare-Mutare routes.
Mr Masikati said the NRZ, had engaged a local firm to manufacture rail sleepers for the exercise.
MORE ON NRZ
“We entered into a deal with a local company to manufacture rail sleepers of which 60 000 would be supplied,” he said.
The failure by NRZ to operate at optimum levels, owing to a host of challenges – mostly related to infrastructure – has significantly affected operations in various sectors of the economy, especially mining.
The railway network connects all major mines and heavy industrial plants, as well as major collection points for farms.
The system has three well-connected hubs – Bulawayo, Gweru, and Harare. It is at the centre of the international rail routes linking the DRC and Zambia to Botswana, Mozambique and its ports of Beira and Maputo, and South Africa and its ports of Durban, Richards Bay, and Port Elizabeth.
But much of the 3 077km-long rail network needs upgrading to improve rail efficiency.
This would help lower company operational costs, said Mr Masikati.
The NRZ has said it requires at least US$274 million to recapitalise.
Vice President Joice Mujuru recently indicated that the rail transport system would soon be opened up for strategic partnerships in rail construction, while rail services would be opened to the private sector.
She said this in a speech read on her behalf by the Mayor of Victoria Falls, Councillor Nkosilathi Jiyane, during the Infrastructure Development Forum and Awards ceremony in Victoria Falls recently.
The review of the regulatory framework for railways will also entail the establishment of a regulatory authority for the transport sub-sector.
Observers have noted that the lack of a separate regulator for the railway sector has contributed to the deterioration of the railways system due to the monopoly status of the NRZ.
The NRZ has been critical to the growth of domestic, regional and international trade as it connects all major economic centres and provides transport for bulk raw materials, finished goods and passengers.
The railway system has traditionally served as a primary conduit for delivery of agricultural produce and other natural resources.
The deterioration in track infrastructure, signalling and telecommunication systems is due to lack of regular repairs and maintenance, resulting from financial constraints. – Business Reporter- New Ziana.
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