KSHS.130 BILLION ULTRA MODERN RAILWAY NETWORK PLANNED FOR EASTERN AFRICAN REGION IN THE NEAR FUTURE.

Business News By Leo Odera Omolo

A detailed plan to upgrade the entire Eastern Africa railway network to speed up business, communication, passengers and freight is being undertaken by private sector.

The project, estimated to cost about Kshs.130 billion, will run through Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, Southern Sudan, Rwanda , Burundi and Ethiopia.

It involves the construction of a new 1.4 m diameter standard gauge line, linking the East African Community member countries.

Design and financing for the project will be ready by June next year, according to a Nairobi’s impeccable source..

The main drivers of the project are top brass in the Kenya’s industry to be headed by Mabati Rolling Mills chairman Dr. Manu Chandaria who is also Kenya’s most prolific industrial magnet.

The group recently presented its master plan to Kenya’s Minister for Transport Ali Chirau Mwakwere for top priority consideration.

The plans comes in the wake of frustrations expressed by Uganda, which relies on the Kenyan Port of Mombasa for shipment of its import and export cargo, through the rail.

If implemented, this will have a significant impact on trade among EAC countries, now slowed down by dilapidated railway network and poor road links. The standard gauge railway network is designed to ensure high performance and speed for both passenger and freight trains.

“With the kind of speeds available on the standard gauge line, we shall be able to move to anywhere within the network in less than ten hours,”says Mr. Ndura Muli , the Managing Director of the Kenya Railways, who is also a member of the group’s planning committee members.

Kenya Uganda Railway is billed as one of the oldest in the world built between 1896 and 1902.In the whole world today 85 per cent of all railway lines are now a standard gauge. “This upgrade will enable Kenya and the entire region become logistics hub,” said Mr. Muli.

The group’s key term of reference will involve promotion of similar consultative group within the East African region, for development of the standard gauge railway network throughout the region.

Other members include Ms Susan Kikwai the managing director of the Kenya Investment Authority, Betty Maina CEO of the Kenyan Association of the Manufacturers.

Ends

leooderaomolo@yahoo.com

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Date: Fri, 12 Sep 2008 01:43:32 -0700 (PDT)
From: Leo Odera Omolo
Subject: MULTIMILLION DOLLAR ULTRA MODERN RAILWAY LINE PLANNED FOR EAST AFRICA