Namibia

Tonymercury · Posted: Fri Mar 21, 2008 5:44 am

Railway Soon a Reality
New Era (Windhoek)
NEWS
20 March 2008
Posted to the web 20 March 2008

By Wezi Tjaronda
Windhoek

The multi-billion-dollar electric Trans-Kalahari railway line is going ahead as planned and may be operational by the end of next year.

Due to problems in electricity supply in the region, plans are that Falcon Resources Holdings, the holding company of the consortium of companies involved in the project, will build its own power station. Falcon Resource Holdings Chief Executive Officer Mihe Gaomab 1 told New Era yesterday that an own power plant would guarantee electricity supply.

The project, undertaken by a consortium of companies from Namibia, South Africa and Canada, namely Sekunjalo, Kumba Resources, Siemens Transportation Systems and Energem Resources, involves constructing a 1600-kilometre railway line from Morepule Colliery in east central Botswana, which will pass through Namibia's new coal mine south of Aranos and a harbour at Shearwater Bay, 30 km south of Lüderitz.

This will be the very first electrified heavy haul railway line in Namibia and is poised to be the longest in the whole of Africa.

Gaomab said although there are four principal partners in the project, more than six others wanted a stake in the project.

"People are knocking on our doors," he said.

He said the holding company had signed up an industrial international investor to be involved in the financing of the project.

Meanwhile, the project is at pre-feasibility study level before a full feasibility into the project can be undertaken. Having been provisionally allocated land in 2006, Gaomab said negotiations are ongoing because the railway line passes through commercial farms, of which some owners are resisting the development.

At the signing of the memorandum of understanding over the implementation of a dry port facility at Walvis Bay between Namibia and Botswana last month, Botswana's Minister of Works and Transport, Lesego Motsumi said she was happy that the private sector showed interest in constructing a railway line.

"Proposals for mining developments, especially coal, and the world-wide demand for the product necessitate our full consideration for a Trans-Kalahari railway," she said.

It takes about 20 days for containers to reach the Port of Walvis Bay from ports in Europe which is shorter turnaround compared to about 40 days to other ports in the region.

But the proposed harbour at Shearwater Bay will provide SADC countries with shorter distances for cargo destined to the Americas and Europe, while providing access to importers, exporters and mining houses and guaranteeing access to mining companies of resource cargo such as copper, zinc, coal, iron ore, manganese and crude and refined oil products.

The 1600-km long line over the Kalahari will address import and export constraints of products and minerals from Namibia's hinterland countries, namely Botswana, Zimbabwe, Zambia and the Democratic Republic of the Congo.

The railway line also provides rail transportation to other provinces of South Africa, namely Limpopo, Gauteng and Northern Cape.

In Botswana, the railroad will connect Palapye, which is directly linked to Bulawayo in Zimbabwe, through Francistown in the north and with Mafikeng in South Africa through Lobatse. The railway line will come through Morupule and Kang in Botswana, and Mariental, Maltahohe and Aus and end at the deep-water harbour. It is hoped that the new railway line will increase the competitiveness of goods produced in SADC countries for distribution to regional and international markets

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awsgc24 · Posted: Fri Mar 21, 2008 5:08 pm

Operational by the end of 2009 Question

That sounds quick, albeit, Namibia have some recent successful railway building Exclamation

Tonymercury · Posted: Sat May 24, 2008 6:54 am

The Namibian (Windhoek)
NEWS
23 May 2008
Posted to the web 23 May 2008
By Christof Maletsky
Windhoek

TRANSNAMIB Holdings Chief Executive Officer Titus Haimbili is satisfied with the Chinese trains the company bought before he took charge in January this year.

The transport parastatal bought 17 red Chinese-made locomotives for around N$200 million recently in addition to the four blue ones bought earlier on.The Government-backed loan of around N$200 million (Yuan 250 million) came from the Export/Import Bank of China. Media reports said the locomotives had become a headache for the parastatal, mainly due to "chronic mechanical problems" resulting in huge financial losses for the company. Haimbili said they were busy upgrading five locomotives in South Africa and expect them to be back in the country by September. The 17 red locomotives were all operational, he said.

He said TransNamib was negotiating with the Swedish International Development Agency (Sida) to help upgrade 10 passenger carriages. Only the four blue locomotives were grounded and were being repaired in South Africa, he said. However, Haimbili said they had a Chinese delegation in the country to help TransNamib modify the grounded blue trains. He said TransNamib would continue doing business with China because it was one of the emerging train manufacturers in the world.

Haimbili confirmed that the Omugulugwombashe train to the North had a gearbox breakdown and was in for repairs. It would be in action by December, he said. The Namibia Transport and Allied Workers' Union (Natau) earlier complained that the Chinese locomotives had been "dumped on" the workers without training.

Also the maintenance manuals were in Chinese or broken English, the union said.

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Tonymercury · Posted: Tue Jun 03, 2008 6:58 am

Railways Africa-

NAMIBIA HAPPY - CHINESE LOCOS
Saturday, 31 May 2008

TransNamib Holdings Chief Executive Officer Titus Haimbili is satisfied with the Chinese locomotives bought before he took office in January 2008, New Era (published in Windhoek) reports. Four blue-painted Cummins-engined Ziyang diesels were imported in 2004 at a cost of $US900,000 each. In 2007, a fleet of 17 new Sifang locomotives, painted red, were purchased for $US1.1 million each, aided by a loan from the Export/Import Bank of China. All are capable of 120 km/h but are restricted to lower speeds by track conditions. The four Ziyang locos are currently in South Africa undergoing modification – to bring them in line with the Sifang units - and are expected back in September. A Chinese delegation is in the country to help TransNamib with this work.

Haimbili confirmed that the Omugulugwombashe Star diesel multiple-unit passenger train, acquired from China in 2005, is in the workshops with a gearbox breakdown. It is expected back in service by December.

He was quoted saying that TransNamib is negotiating with the Swedish International Development Agency (Sida) to help upgrade 10 passenger coaches.

[Nothing further has been heard of 10 coaches “for push-pull operation in conjunction with a YDM4 locomotive ”, said to have been ordered from India’s Rail Coach Factory (RCF) at Kapurthala during 2005. - editor)

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Tonymercury · Posted: Sat Jun 14, 2008 6:28 am

NAMIBIAN NORTHERN RAILWAY
Friday, 13 June 2008

Namibia’s 246 km northern railway extension from Tsumeb to Ondangwa, which cost government N$858.9 million, is not a white elephant, Deputy Minister of Works and Transport Paul Smit assured parliament in Windhoek on 5 June.. Opened in August 2006, it carried 38,911 tonnes of freight up to March 2007, and 118,874 tonnes between April 2007 and February 2008. Southbound traffic totalled only 2,000 tonnes in the 20 months to February 2008. The once-weekly passenger service conveyed 3,017 passengers up to March 2007 and 2 683 between April 2007 and October. However, the Chinese-built Omugulugwombashe multiple-unit train used on the service is currently under repair after gearbox failure.

Between 15 and 20 freight trains are operated each month in each direction, Smit said.

The Namibian government contributed N$503.3m towards the new railway’s first phase cost, the African Development Bank N$202.3m, the Kuwait Development Fund N$102.7m and the Arab Development Bank N$50.3m.

The second phase of the project, extending the line to the Oshikango border post, has so far cost N$146 million but N$300 million is needed to complete.

While TransNamib's road transport moved 16,466 tonnes of cargo in 2005, this reduced to only 1,750 tonnes between April 2007 and March 2008," Smit said.

- Reported by The Namibian (published in Windhoek).

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Tonymercury · Posted: Sat Jun 21, 2008 10:38 am

HUGE TRANSNAMIB DEVELOPMENT PLANS
Thursday, 19 June 2008

TransNamib needs to upgrade its infrastructure to handle 18.5 tonne axle-loads at 80 km/h (current 40 km/h) says newly appointed Chief Executive Officer Titus Haimbili, quoted by New Era, published in Windhoek. The estimated cost is $US564 million.

The necessary refurbishing of 30 locomotives within the next three years will cost $US15 million. In addition, the utility needs to purchase 10 new locomotives at an estimated cost of $US17 million.

The total estimated cost for the revamping of infrastructure, establishing and constructing new lines, and buying in new passenger coaches and freight wagons totals about $US1.044 billion.

Addressing a Swedish business meeting in Stockholm on 9 June, Haimbili said this offers opportunities for Swedish partners to enter the picture, either through direct foreign investments or through Public Private Partnership participation.

Swedish companies would not have problems entering such business ventures, he suggested, pointing out that the Swedish Export Credit Board (EKN) ranks Namibia among the top five Southern African countries with whom Swedish companies can do business at low risk.

The EKN provides credit guarantees to Swedish companies that wish to do business with Namibia and conducts credit ratings on specific companies with whom Swedish companies wish to trade.

Following his own meeting with the EKN in Stockholm on 10 June, Deputy Director for the Investment Centre in Namibia’s Ministry of Trade and Industry Freddy !Gaoseb was quoted saying: "The only negative points for Namibia are the high levels of unemployment. Otherwise, political stability, good governance, democracy, establishment of relevant institutions and infrastructure count favourably for Namibia."

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Tonymercury · Posted: Mon Aug 18, 2008 6:10 am

NAMIBIA REFURBISHES LOCOS
Friday, 15 August 2008

On 11 August, TransNamib commissioned the first of five diesel-electric locos currently being refurbished,” New Era (published in Windhoek) reports. The rest are expected to re-enter service during September. Another 18 of the fleet of 45 General Electric U20C units, now 40 years old, are to be tackled in due course. After the overhaul, their haulage capacity per litre of fuel will be increased by 23%, TransNamib senior engineer Joe van Zyl is quoted saying. He adds that the productive life of the locomotives will be extended by 15 to 20 years.

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Tonymercury · Posted: Tue Aug 26, 2008 5:47 am

BRISK BUSINESS AT TRANSNAMIB
Thursday, 21 August 2008

“TransNamib goods haulage service is enjoying brisk business as many companies turn to rail transport in the wake of ever increasing fuel [prices],” New Era (published in Windhoek) reports. Passenger numbers have declined however, as Trans-Namib has had to increase fares four times in recent months. However, this has enabled the Windhoek to Walvis Bay and northern Namibia routes to remain profitable, general manager of marketing and sales Mike Kavekotora told the paper. On the Windhoek-Gobabis line by contrast, “in the past we would have about 50 customers per day but today you find only about nine," Kavekotora said.

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Tonymercury · Posted: Thu Sep 04, 2008 5:43 am

TRANSNAMIB CEO SUSPENDED
Friday, 29 August 2008

Transnamib CEO Titus Haimbili, appointed to the post earlier in 2008, has been suspended by the parastatal’s board for undisclosed reasons. New-in-office board chairman Festus Lameck, the Windhoek press reports, applied unsuccessfully for the CE position himself. "He [Lameck] wanted to come in as the CEO and the first bullet he shoots [as chairperson of the TransNamib board] is the person who beat him during the interviews," Namibia Transport and Allied Workers' Union (Natawu) general secretary John Kwedhi is quoted saying. The union was so displeased at the situation that it threatened to call a strike if Haimbili were not reinstated.

At its first meeting, the Namibian (published in Windhoek) reported, the new board placed Haimbili on two months' "special leave" in order to investigate allegations “related to corporate governance”.

Haimbili's "special leave" came amid rumours that Lameck wanted him "out of the way" while contracts for the position of Trans-Namib General Manager: Engineering Matty Hauuanga, and Klaus Jense (Senior Manager: Information Services) come to a close, New Era – also published in Windhoek – reported.

“Lameck said the two positions - and in particular the position of Hauuanga, who he admitted is a distant relative of his - has had nothing to do with the board's decision to grant the special leave to Haimbili.”

“One of the niggling issues remains the Chinese locomotives that were grounded, of which the findings of the appointed commission of enquiry is still outstanding,” New Era’s Catherine Sasman writes.   The special leave runs until 31 October. Until then, CEO Haimbili is reportedly not allowed to enter any office or premises of TransNamib.

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Tonymercury · Posted: Mon Sep 08, 2008 5:44 am

TRANSNAMIB IN DIRE TRAITS”
Friday, 05 September 2008

Well, that was the headline on an item listed at www.allafrica.com. It quotes Chriostof Maletsky of the Namibian (published in Windhoek) who writes that TransNamib, the Namibian state railway, “is facing a serious financial crisis after banks withdrew its overdraft facilities, citing the instability of its management.

“The Namibian has it on good authority that commercial banks became itchy after the new TransNamib board suspended chief executive officer Titus Haimbili until the end of October. At least four sources confirmed that the parastatal faces a serious
cash-flow crisis, which could result in the non-payment of bills if the situation continues.”

The TransNamib board has refused to rescind Haimbili's suspension. Chairman Festus Lameck is quoted saying that issues of corporate governance are being investigated, adding that Haimbili is not "above the law".

TransNamib marketing general manager Mike Kavekotora is acting CE during Haimbili's suspension. “However, commercial banks are refusing to acknowledge his decision-making powers and claim that there is too much instability for them to provide overdraft facilities.”

In protest against Haimbili's suspension, the Namibia Transport and Allied Workers' Union called its members out on strike on 3 September. At the time of writing, no trains were running in Namibia.

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Tonymercury · Posted: Tue Sep 16, 2008 6:21 am

TRANSNAMIB CHAIR SUSPENDED
Friday, 12 September 2008
On 5 September, according to New Era (published in Windhoek), at a meeting between Prime Minister Nahas Angula, minister of works and transport Helmut Angula, representatives of the National Union of Namibian Workers (NUNW) and the Namibia Transport and Allied Union (Natau), agreement was reached that TransNamib board chairman Festus Lameck be suspended. The move followed Lameck’s board decision to suspend TransNamib chief executive Titus Haimbili and the unions’ subsequently calling their members out on strike, paralysing the country’s railway.

“Millions of dollars’ worth of fuel, coal and industrial materials needed for mining were held up at Walvis Bay because of the strike,” the press reported. “About 200,000 litres of jet fuel; 1,600 tons of coal for NamPower’s electricity generating plants, a massive quantity of petrol and diesel and about 1,600 tons of sulphuric acid for operations at Roessing Uranium are awaiting delivery.”

Roessing Uranium was quoted saying that any prolonged stoppage could have a severe impact on the mine's production.

In a statement, Shell Namibia expressed concern on behalf of the oil industry, saying that deliveries from the coast to towns such as Keetmanshoop and Luederitz are “standing still.

"We are mindful of the immense impact this incident has on the oil industry and the Namibian economy as a whole, and are hopeful that the relevant parties involved will indeed sort out their differences soon," spokesperson Mona-Liza Garises was quoted saying.

Meanwhile the Labour Court ruled the strike illegal and transport minister Helmut Angula, calling it "economic sabotage" on the part of the trade unions described the workers' demands as tantamount to corruption. The strike, he said “ has affected the Namibian economy and has therefore caused enormous destruction in business transactions here at home as well as the country's confidence with the international community.”

Minister Angula told the press that Lameck was correctly appointed to chair the TransNamib board in terms of legal procedural requirements. Shortlisted candidates were interviewed between 3 and 7 July by a panel and recommended names were submitted to both the Council of Ministers and the director and head of the secretariat of state-owned enterprises.

The recommended appointments were then sent to cabinet for approval. The letter of appointment was sent on 15 July.

Auditors Ernst & Young are currently investigating the alleged irregularities levelled against Haimbili. Minister Angula said he has been informed of these but Haimbili is not to be told until the investigations are concluded.

(On 10 September, it was announced that the strike had ended. Haimbili and Lameck are both at home on “special leave”. – editor)

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Tonymercury · Posted: Mon Oct 06, 2008 4:30 am

GOVT BAILS OUT RAILWAY
Friday, 03 October 2008

According to the Namibian (published in Windhoek), the government has approved the injection of N$14.2 million into TransNamib after an illegal strike early in September left the company unable to pay workers' salaries.

TransNamib acting CEO Mike Kavekotora confirmed that the government had been asked for a “bail-out” of N$52 million. An amount of N$14.2 million was advanced from the central government's contingency fund, it being suggested that the Development Bank of Namibia be approached for the rest.

TransNamib – and much of the country - was virtually paralysed for a week after workers, led by the National Union for Namibian Workers (Nunw) and the Namibia Transport and Allied Workers' Union (Natau), downed tools in protest at the board's suspension of CEO Titus Haimbili in August. TransNamib said in a court affidavit it lost N$5 million a day.

Kavekotora said he was hopeful that the company's approach to the Development Bank would be successful. The Namibian said he “shrugged off” reports that commercial banks had been wary of extending loans to TransNamib. In a statement issued in reply to queries about the banks' position in August, the paper recalled, TransNamib spokesperson Aily Hangula-Paulino had said: "Following the granting of special leave to the CEO ...various sectors, including financial institutions, raised their concerns regarding the running of the business and continuation of service delivery".

The Namibian continued: “Sources indicated that commercial banks were concerned over what was deemed too much instability in the TransNamib leadership for them to provide overdraft facilities.

Haimbili has been placed on "special leave" until the end of October, while the company investigates allegations of corruption against him. No details or charges have been made known to him or anyone else.

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Tonymercury · Posted: Wed Nov 05, 2008 5:02 am

TRANSNAMIB LOCO OVERHAUL
Friday, 31 October 2008

For the second phase of its locomotive refurbishment programme, TransNamib – Namibia’s national railway - entered into agreements with two South African service providers - Transnet Rail Engineering and African Rail and Traction Services. In the course of 18 months, 18 General Electric (GE) U20 locomotives will be tackled at a cost of N$80 million. The refurbishment entails the overhaul of all components including bogies and wheels, engines, generators, traction motors, compressors and contactors, the repainting of the locomotive bodies, and renewal of all low voltage wiring. To comply with Original Engine Manufacturer (OEM) standards, the overhaul costs between N$3 million and N$5 million per locomotive, acting CEO Mike Kavekotora told Catherine Sasman of New Era (published in Windhoek). "The benefits we will derive are huge: improved reliability, improved locomotive availability, improved utilisation and improved running times of the trains, which will eventually lead to an effective service delivery," Kavekotora was quoted saying. The economic and productive lifespan will be extended a further 15 to 20 years.

The TransNamib fleet includes 45 GE locomotives (former South African class 33). that have been in service since 1968. More recently, 21 locomotives were acquired from China. The first four of these are understood to have performed indifferently. According to New Era, they form the subject of a dispute between suspended TransNamib CEO Titus Haimbili and the current board of directors. “Haimbili, before being put on ‘special leave’ in August, had instructed a delegation to ‘revisit’ the purchase of the Chinese locomotives,” Sasman writes.

She quotes Hambili saying (in his notice of application to the District Labour court to have his special leave overturned in September): "The preliminary indications are that there are serious shortcomings with this transaction,"

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