Chamwe Kaira
TransNamib Holdings Limited says the manufacturing of 20 locomotives has not yet formally started, with timelines and implementation dependent on the outcome of an independent technical report.
TransNamib’s executive for commercial and marketing, Kendall Swartz, said only limited preparatory work has taken place so far.
This includes the stripping of two locomotives as part of preliminary remanufacturing activities. He said no completion timeframe has been set.
Swartz told Observer Money that the cost of manufacturing the 20 locomotives and the expected savings will only be known once the independent technical report is finalised.
He said the report will guide decisions on the number of locomotives, preferred brands, technical specifications, and whether TransNamib will manufacture or remanufacture the units.
He said current work at TransNamib’s workshops focuses on routine maintenance and servicing of existing locomotives and waggons.
Preparatory stripping work is also continuing on two additional locomotives, pending the recommendations of the independent report.
On the N$2.6 billion funding secured from the Development Bank of Namibia (DBN) and the Development Bank of Southern Africa (DBSA), Swartz said the use of the funds will depend on the report’s findings and TransNamib’s revised strategy. He said no funds have been released or used so far.
Swartz said the projects to be funded through the DBN and DBSA loan, as well as their sequencing, will be informed by the independent report.
He said implementation and measurable progress will only begin once the report is finalised and approved.
On plans to procure new locomotives following the cancellation of the GE deal, Swartz said both the number of locomotives and the sourcing strategy will be determined by the report’s recommendations.
Swartz also addressed railway projects funded by the African Development Bank, saying these fall under the responsibility of the Ministry of Works and Transport.
He said the transport ministry is overseeing these projects and will provide details on funding, implementation and timelines.
