NRZ DECLINE KNOCKS EXPORTS
Posted on 03 August 2009 by Railways Africa Editor
According to government statistics, the steady decline of the National Railways of Zimbabwe (NRZ) is proving increasingly detrimental to the country’s export trade. “Out of a planned movement of 1,155,760mt of mineral exports, NRZ managed to move only 498,636mt in 2007, a 57% decline on the projections and a performance significantly lower than its 2006 ratings,” Minerals Marketing Corporation of Zimbabwe (MMCZ) chief executive officer Onisimo Moyo is quoted saying. High carbon ferrochrome and platinum group metals contribute over 50% of the country’s export revenue..
In 2005, NRZ required 108 main-line locomotives to meet demand but only 60 were available. It had mustered 126 in 1999, dropping to 112 in 2000, 99 in 2001 and 83 in 2002. There has been no major investment in motive power since then. “The NRZ rolling stock has continued to decline and urgent support is required for this vital institution, which is one of the key pillars for the economy’s turnaround,” Moyo says.
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