Trans-Kalahari Railway Line Project Developments 2023

1. At the invitation of Hon. John Mutorwa, MP. Minister of Works and 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 Special Joint Ministerial Committee (JMC) of the Trans-Kalahari Railway Line (TKR) Project held on 30 August 2023 in Windhoek, Namibia.

2. Hon. Mutorwa was accompanied by Ms. Esther Kaapanda, Executive Director in the Ministry of Works and Transport and Co-Chair of the Joint Steering Committee (JSC), Mr. Jonas Sheelongo, Deputy Executive Director and Co-Chair of the Joint Technical Committee (JTC) as well as Port, Corridor and Rail Authorities and Senior Government Officials.

3. Hon. Molale was accompanied by Mr. Bareng Malatsi, Acting Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Transport and Public Works and Co-Chair of the JSC and Mr. Johannes Tsimako, Deputy Permanent Secretary and Co-Chair of the JTC as well as Rail Authorities and Senior Government Officials.

4. The JMC was preceded by the Joint Steering Committee (JSC) which considered the draft Expression of Interest (EOI), update on the amendments of the Joint Technical Committee (JTC) structure and progress made by the TKR-Project Management Office (PMO) in auditing all the outstanding accounts.

5. The main activity of the JMC was to consider and approve the EOI on the implementation of the TKR Project and the associated timelines, since their last meeting of July 13, 2023.

6. The salient points of the approved EOI are as follows;

1. The EOI will run from September 6, 2023 to November 8, 2023 for interested parties to express their interest in participating in the project,
2. This will be followed by the Pre-Qualification Stage between December 2023 to February 2024. The next stage will be Request for Proposals (RFP) for 3 months from March 2024 and a Development or Construction stage to commence on January 2025.
3. There will be consultation with affected communities and greater participation by companies and contractors from both countries during conception, construction and implementation phases,
4. The PMO will be responsible for running the advert and will use available websites of the Member States’ Ministries of Transport, Railway Authorities, Investment Promotion Agencies (APIs) and their respective Diplomatic Missions abroad.

7. While reiterating their Governments commitment to realizing this important project, the two Ministers expressed satisfaction at the work done by the Rail Authorities and Senior Officials and expressed hope that the stated timelines will be met.
8. The two Ministers congratulated the Trans Kalahari Corridor Secretariat, who together with their South African counterpart will be inaugurating their new office on August 31, 2023.

9. Hon. Molale expressed appreciation to Hon. Mutorwa for the excellent hospitality rendered to the Botswana delegation for the duration of their visit.

10. Hon. Mutorwa further invited Hon. Molale to the next JMC Meeting scheduled for November 24, 2023 at a venue to be determined and wished the Botswana delegation a safe journey home.

ISSUED IN WINDHOEK, NAMIBIA ON 30 AUGUST 2023

For the Republic of Namibia

Hon. John Mutorwa

Minister of Works and Transport

For the Republic of Botswana

Hon. Eric Molale

Minister of Transport and Public Works