Dorcas Kang'ereha

Editor/ Business Developer at Group Africa Publishing Ltd

Ethio-Djibouti US$ 3.4bn railway project commence full ride trials

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Full ride trials have commenced on the Ethio-Djibouti railway project. The trials units are prior to the commencement of passenger and freight services.

According to Dereje Tefera, Ethiopian Railways Corporation (ERC) Communication Services Head, any railway project has to undergo various trails and checking. It also needs to be certified by external institutions before it begins full operation.

China Railway Engineering Corporation (CREC) and China Civil Engineering Construction Corporation (CCECC) are in charge of managing the overall activities of the project for the coming six years.

Also read: China to construct the Lagos-Calabar coastal railway line in Nigeria

Furthermore, within the six years, the companies will train the Ethiopian and Djibouti personnel. The training will touch on operation, maintenance and the like. However, the railway construction marks Ethiopia’s commitment in fighting poverty. It will also help the country to build its image in the face of the world.

Moreover, the progress made so far regarding the full rail ride is promising and the two sisterly nations are inspecting the trial ride and other related matters. The Corporation did accord its attention to ensuring safety as the Ethio-Djibouti railway is a flagship project.

The project is also the first of its kind in the Sub-Sharan Africa.

Also read: Angola begins rehabilitating over 1000km of Railway

The project cost

The railway project was executed at a cost of US$3.4bn, with Ethiopia and Djibouti contributing 70 percent and 30 percent respectively. Ethio-Djibouti railway project stretches from Sebeta to Dewele – 656km- and from Dewle to Negad via Dorale, over 100km.

Ethio-Djibouti Railways also known as the Ethio-Djibouti Railway, is both a railway company and a railway based in the Horn of Africa. Parts of the railway still exist in 2017. The Ethio-Djibouti Railway is one of the colonial era meter gauge railways in Africa that is built between 1894-1917.

However, inside Africa, the project serves as a clear economic purpose over decades easing the transport of goods between almost inaccessible Ethiopia and the ocean and clearly replaced camel caravans as the transport means of choice.

Construction of integrated port in Senegal to commence end of 2018

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Construction work on the integrated port in Dakar, Senegal is set to commence at the tail end of 2018. This is according to DP World, the UAE-based global marine terminal operator.

Port de Futur is aimed at providing seamless movement of cargo to neighbouring countries and also movement of over 200 million people in 16 landlocked African nations.

The multi-purpose port with an economic zone and a logistics zone is adjacent to the new Blaise Diagne International Airport. It will allow for the movement of goods to support the country’s economic diversification, boasting non-resource exports.

Also read: Mozambique, Portugal ink port transport, maritime MoU

Once complete, the project will be one of the most advanced and well-organized free zones. The contractor is going to utilize state-of-the-art equipment and technology; this is according to Sultan Ahmed Bin Sulayem, DP World Group chairman and CEO. Sultan Ahmed Bin Sulayem was speaking during a meeting with Macky Sall, the President of Senegal.

The DP World chief is in Senegal as part of a tour of West and North Africa to confirm the development of infrastructure projects in the country. The Prime Minister of Senegal and senior government officials attended the meeting.

“The size of the region and their population reinforces the need for multi-modal transport. Logistics and customs capabilities across borders. We have the know-how to help in that mission,” he added.

Also read: Uganda, Tanzania sign deal for construction of US$ 4bn crude export pipeline

“In addition, we are already part of Africa’s future sharing our experience on cargo movement. Across the continent’s supply chain and have the experience to deliver major projects here,” explained further Sultan Ahmed Bin Sulayem.

He also said that the company will soon reach an agreement on land allocation. For the associated free zone. It will also provide a master plan for redevelopment of the old port of Dakar, he added.

Project benefit

Bin Sulayem said African nations are determined to develop their infrastructure to encourage trade and the growth of their economies. “The region has major trade potential, especially landlocked nations seeking gateways to the sea. Connectivity between them is key,” he pointed out.

Across Africa, DP World has operations in Senegal, Egypt, Mozambique, Djibouti, Algeria and Somaliland where it is developing a multi-purpose port project at Berbera.

It also secured a 25-year concession to develop and operate a new logistics centre in Kigali, Rwanda at the beginning of 2016, he added.

 

 

Work on the longest suspension bridge in Africa resumes

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Construction work on the longest suspension bridge in Africa has commenced. China Road and Bridge Corporation (CRBC) is the project contractor of the bridge located in Maputo, Mozambique.

However, the CRBC put into place the first of the 57 metallic modules. The modules will form the deck of the bridge. Moreover, the bridge links the centre of the city to the outlying municipal district of Katembe.

Besides, the deck weighs more than 7,000 tones. Each of the parts is 12m wide, 26m long and 3m thick. According to the Minister of Public Works, Carlos Bonete, it is possible to assemble the deck in 45 days, if the weather remains favourable.

Also read: Platjan bridge construction in Botswana starts

“The first module is there, practically in the centre,” said Carlos Bonete. “The next stage is to assemble the other modules until we reach the extremities of the deck, where the main pillars are.”

Moreover, there is access to the interior of each of the modules, which will allow maintenance of the deck, without interfering in traffic moving across the bridge. In fact after assembling the deck all that remains is the soldering and the application of anti-corrosion paint.

However, according to Bai Pengyu, of the CRBC, the corporation is committing to complete the bridge come end of 2017.

Also read: Botswana-Zambia bridge construction project on track officials say

Project delays

Regarding, the project delays, it is possible for circumstances to happen, that can force changes in the construction calendar. Carlos Bonete, did note that, in June this year the Public Works Ministry did expect the Chinese ship carrying the deck modules to arrive in Maputo. Instead, the ship did arrive last week.

However, the main problem lies neither with the contractor, nor with the central government, but with Maputo Municipal Council. Incredibly, despite having years to prepare, the council has still not moved vendors from the informal Nwakakana street market, and they are blocking the northern access road to the bridge.

The bridge, and the associated roads, including the road from Katembe to the tourist resort of Ponta d’Ouro, on the border with the South African province of Kwazulu-Natal, are budgeted at 725 million US dollars. When complete, this will by the longest suspension bridge in sub-Saharan Africa.