HARARE - The National Railways of Zimbabwe (NRZ) desperately needs more than $452 million to rehabilitate its out-dated and dilapidated equipment.
Documents in our possession reveal that the NRZ, now run by a member of the Zimbabwe National Army needs a staggering $451,886,130 to upgrade its signalling and telecommunications equipment, repair its electrification equipment, collapsing track and remove speed restrictions in line with international travel trends.
The document shows that the NRZ, whose workers are currently on strike for more money, needs $59,956,772 for removing speed restrictions, $284,589,357 for rehabilitating its track, $23,370,000 for repairing the electrification network, and $83,970,000 for its signalling and telecommunications system.
The railways, whose headquarters are in Bulawayo, has faced numerous financial constraints since Independence in 1980.
It drinks millions from the government fiscus annually making it among the worst performing parastatals in Zimbabwe today.
The document shows that the NRZ will need cash to upgrade its concrete sleepers ($15,217,250), crossing timber hardwood ($12,265,528), purchasing concrete beam for turnouts, Rail Clip C/40, repairing and calibrating its servo-valve as well as $4,7 million to buy new fasteners.
It needs $284,589,357 to rehabilitate its track countrywide, with $23,217,400 needed for the sleeper hardwood standard purchase, $46 million to buy a brand new rail, a staggering $123 million to rehabilitate Machipanda to Mutare railway line for more than three years, as well as $42 million to replace and rehabilitate the aged track.
The document shows that the NRZ will spend $23,370,000 repairing its electrification network which has given it many headaches during the past because thieves have stolen important wiring equipment at various stations countrywide.
The railways needs $20 million for the Somabhula-Rutenga, Rutenga-Beitbridge, Rutenga Sango route, $1,5 million to spruce up the lighting at all its yards countrywide, $1,150,000 to rehabilitate Rimuka Substation and $500 000 to resuscitate a section of the Ascot to Kwekwe railway line. It also needs $83,970,000 for its signals and telecommunications countrywide.
Post published in: Economy