Online Reporter
Rutendo Nyeve [email protected]
THE National Railways of Zimbabwe (NRZ) will on Thursday commission three locomotives and 109 wagons refurbished under a public-private partnership (PPP) with Zimasco at Harare Station, in a move that highlights the parastatal’s drive under the National Development Strategy 2 (NDS2) to foster private-sector collaborations.
NRZ confirmed the development in a statement.
“The National Railways of Zimbabwe (NRZ) will this Thursday commission three locomotives and 100 wagons refurbished under a PPP with Zimasco,” the statement said.
“Under the partnership, Zimasco funded the procurement of critical spares and consumables and the refurbished rolling stock will be dedicated to transporting Zimasco’s mineral commodities.
This is partnership in action, NRZ and its major customer working together to unlock capacity and move more freight. The commissioning ceremony will be held at Harare Station.”
The project is part of efforts to move more cargo by rail and ease pressure on roads.
Speaking in Parliament on Wednesday, Minister of Transport and Infrastructural Development Felix Mhona said:
“We need a functional railway line which makes sure that we carry our cargo so that we do not burden our roads. I am happy that the initiative has already started under the NDS2 drive, where we are also calling for collaboration from the private sector, where they can bring in rolling stock and we reduce that on railage as they use the railway line. I am happy to say that in the next week, you will see us also commissioning where the private sector is coming to join NRZ to rehabilitate locomotives and provide wagons. I am happy that this is ongoing.”
Minister Mhona said Government’s priority is a vibrant railway line that encourages cargo to return to rail and restores NRZ’s glory days.
The commissioning is expected to boost capacity for Zimasco and demonstrate confidence in NRZ’s reform agenda.
