adminfor which it paid a deposit of US$2,9 million early this year. The company is yet to find a credit line or guarantee from the Government for the payment.
NRZ public relations manager, Mr Fanuel Masikati, said they were now lobbying for a Government guarantee through their parent Ministry of Transport, Communication and Infrastructure Development.
“At the moment we have a complement of 71 locomotives against an average requirement of 81.
“We’ve since embarked on the refurbishment of some locomotives to ease the shortage strain,” he said.
Mr Masikati said the acquisition of the locomotives from China was important, adding they were strained by contracts to move coal from Hwange Colliery, chrome, grain, farming inputs and fertiliser among others. He said they anticipated a boom in business in line with the gradual increase in production in various sectors, hence the need to increase their locomotive fleet.
They had entered into a deal with Fort Concrete of Gweru for the manufacture of railway sleepers.
“The railway sleepers will be fitted with the new 12 000 tonnes of rail we recently acquired from China, that is being welded into 144 metres of rail.
“This will replace some sections of the rail network with speed restrictions,” said Mr Masikati.
Meanwhile, NRZ is continuing with its programme of rehabilitating wagons. Mr Masikati revealed that so far they had managed to refurbish 1 000 wagons and 10 locomotives with the help of the private sector.
“We have put more emphasis on public-private partnership in an effort to give satisfactory service and meet our customer requirements,” said Mr Masikati.
Mr Masikati said NRZ still runs passenger trains to Francistown in Botswana and Chikwalakwala in Mozambique, as well as Beitbridge.
The Government has earmarked NRZ for commercialisation and privatisation in order to restore viability, with US$274 million needed for recapitalisation.
Online Reporter