Joint Communiqué On The Occasion Of The Joint Ministerial Committee Meeting Of The Trans-Kalahari Railway Line Project
At the reciprocal invitation of Hon. John Mutorwa, MP, Minister of Works Transport of the Republic of Namibia, Hon. Eric Molale, MP, Minister of Transport and Public Works of the Republic of Botswana, attended and Co-Chaired the Joint Ministerial Committee (JMC) meeting of the Trans-Kalahari Railway Line Project, which was held on 2 February 2024 in Swakopmund, Namibia.
Hon. Mutorwa was accompanied by Ms. Esther N. Kaapanda, Executive Director of the Ministry of Works and Transport and Co-Chair of the Joint Steering Committee (JSC), Mr. Jonas Sheelongo, Deputy Executive Director: Transport, and Co-Chair of the Joint Technical Committee (JTC) as well as, Namibian Ports Authority, Walvis Bay Corridor Group and TransNamib and Senior Government Officials, from Ministry of Works and Transport and Ministry of Finance and Public Enterprises.
Hon. Molale was accompanied by Mr. Kgakgamalo Ken Ketshajwang, Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Transport and Public Works and Co-Chair of the JSC, and Deputy Permanent Secretary, Mr. Johannes Tsimako, Co-Chair of the JTC, as well as Botswana Railways and Senior Government Officials, from the Ministry of Transport and Public Works and the Ministry of Finance.
H.E. Phemelo Rankoro, High Commissioner of the Republic of Botswana to Namibia, was also in attendance accompanied by senior officials from the High Commission.
The JMC was preceded by the JSC which was Co-Chaired by Ms. Esther N. Kaapanda and Mr. Kgakgamalo Ken Ketshajwang, and considered the outcome of the call for Expression of Interest (EOI) floated in September 2023, as well as the proposed operational budget for the TKR-PMO for the 2024/25 financial year.
The Hon. Ministers recalled that the JMC meeting of 30 August 2023, approved the Expression of Interest (EOI), for funding the feasibility study and development of the proposed new Trans-Kalahari Railway Line, linking Botswana and Namibia, which was subsequently publicly and widely advertised on 6 September 2023, on various platforms, including online and print media in both countries.
The EOI was further sent to the Foreign Ministries in both member states to facilitate a wider coverage through their Embassies and High Commissions. The advert was also sent to the organisation responsible for trade facilitations in both member states (i.e. Botswana Investment and Trade Centre (BITC) and the Namibia Investment Promotion and Development Board (NIPDB).
The Hon. Ministers acknowledged the progress made in the EOI and expressed appreciation for the keen interest demonstrated by national, regional, and international industry stakeholders. Additionally, they reviewed the report detailing the evaluation and adjudication of EOI submissions conducted by the PMO and JSC Procurement Committees.
Following deliberations, the Hon. Ministers noted and approved that the TKR PMO be strengthened with requisite expertise, with the view to expedite the drafting of the comprehensive Terms of Reference for the Request for Proposals (RFP), amongst others.
The Hon. Ministers further directed that the RFPs, once finalised and approved, be issued to the short-listed respondents by March 2024, to enable the appointment of a successful respondent by May 2024, in line with the Roadmap of the TKR Project.
While reiterating their Government commitment to realising this important project, the two Ministers expressed satisfaction at the work done by the Rail Authorities and Senior Officials, and encouraged that the stated timelines be met.
The two Hon. Ministers reaffirmed their commitment to continue working closely together to further deepen and consolidate the strategic cooperation and partnership in the areas of transport infrastructure.
The Hon. Ministers further underscored the need to continue nurturing the warm and excellent bilateral relations that exist between Botswana and Namibia, which are anchored on long-standing historical and political bonds, and common cultural heritage, to continue enhancing socio-economic development.
Hon. Molale expressed appreciation to Hon. Mutorwa for the excellent hospitality rendered to the Botswana delegation for the duration of their visit, and further used the occasion to extend an invitation to Hon. Mutorwa to attend the next JMC meeting, scheduled to be held in Botswana, at a date to be communicated through diplomatic channels.
ISSUED AT SWAKOPMUND, NAMIBIA, ON 2 FEBRUARY 2024
For the Republic of Namibia
Hon. John Mutorwa, MP
Minister of Works and Transport
For the Republic of Botswana
Hon. Eric Molale, MP
Minister of Transport and Public Works