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Put our infrastructure on the rails: Namibia

WINDHOEK (Namibia): Amazed at the success of the Indian Railways, Namibia is now seeking cooperation to build and upgrade its railway infrastructure. It has urged the Indian government to depute a full-time technical adviser to the “Trans Namib Railway.”

“The Indian Railways can help us upgrade the 300-km line between the capital Windhoek and the international port city of Walvis Bay. This would be one of the most crucial infrastructure projects that would help in connectivity with the port, giving much required boost to the economy,” Namibian Minister for Works, Transport and Communication Joel N. Kaapanda said during his meeting with Union Minister of State for Commerce Jairam Ramesh here on Friday.

“Over half of our rail network of over 2,600 km needs upgrading and we also want to lay new lines. The Indian Railways’ expertise can help us in achieving this. Then there are other organisations like the government-owned consultancy firm RITES Limited and the Container Corporation to which we can look for tie-ups,” said Mr. Kaapanda, who was earlier Ambassador to India.

During a recent visit to India, he met Railway Minister Lalu Prasad.

Assuring full help, Mr. Ramesh said India would send a technical adviser who could help Namibia with infrastructure projects and in getting them implemented through public-private partnership. “The adviser can help in training manpower, skill management and setting up plants, besides undertaking work-related to refurbishment of the existing networks.”

Pointing out that a large number of African nations realised the true potential of the Indian Railways, Mr. Ramesh said New Delhi could also help in manpower training in the aviation sector, particularly in air traffic control.

“We can also help build and develop ports in Namibia to help it emerge as one of the major logistics hub for the entire Africa. Similarly, setting up of the Pan-African e-network, with Namibia as its partner, will be a major achievement.”

On business and industry cooperation, Mr. Ramesh said the need was for India to take up big projects such as the $105-million power transmission line taken up in north Namibia by two Indian companies.

“This is one of the largest projects of Namibia — six per cent of the size of the Namibian Gross Domestic Product.”

Mr. Ramesh met the founding President of Namibia, Sam Nujoma, besides calling on Ministers and leaders of business and industry.

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