Botswana must develop a rail network since its roads cannot continue to handle current volumes. According to Modise Koofhethile, managing director of Gaborone Container Terminal (Gabcon), there has been a definite realisation by government that the neglected rail network has to be upgraded and that minerals, at least, should be on rail and not road. “Rail is an efficient mode of transport if done properly,” Koofhethile told FTW recently. “Yes, the railway services have always focused on minerals and containers, but due to a lack of capacity – be it rolling stock or locomotives – this has translated into unreliable services and more cargo has been moved via road. At the same time there has been very little investment in building the rail capacity and infrastructure. This will all change as we see more investment on rail in the future.” Koofhethile said there was a clear indication from the Botswana government that rail infrastructure would be addressed in the near future. “We are seeing the government involved in high-level talks with several other countries to develop rail networks – and construction in some regions is expected to start as soon as next year.” He said the development of a rail link between Botswana and Namibia as well as Botswana and Zambia had been welcomed across the board. “We are very reliant on our neighbours. Currently we have some big challenges in getting our cargo as it is all on road – which is not only expensive, but it has become near impossible to maintain the roads as they were just not built to handle this volume of goods.” He said Botswana’s decision to raise funds for road maintenance through a charge on the fuel levy rather than through tollgates has become a bone of contention. “Many transporters are filling up on diesel in neighbouring countries and then transporting through Botswana without refuelling here. Effectively one could argue they are then using the roads for free.” He said with funds for transport infrastructure limited it was important to find new and innovative ways of raising money for the necessary rail and road infrastructure. “We have to ensure our networks are not only developed but maintained as we move to grow our economy.” CAPTION Road infrastructure taking strain … impossible to maintain the roads as they were just not built to handle this volume of goods.
