13 Apr 2014

Botswana Railways corporate communications and public relations manager, Ms Kefilwe Batsalelwang says the ongoing developments at Walvis Bay Dry Port are at 94 per cent and expected to be complete by mid May this year.

Responding to a questionnaire, Ms Batsalelwang said the development of the Dry Port were done in two phases and that the port was envisaged to be open for business by June this year.

Giving an update on the development of the Dry Port, Ms Batsalelwang said phase one of the projects that was the construction of a concrete palisade perimeter fence was complete. She said phase two of the project, which entailed work on earthworks, paving of the plot, driveways and buildings was almost complete.

She said the construction of earthworks involved the removal of stabilisation of earth works on the entire premises to allow containers and heavy machinery to work in the area.

Ms Batsalelwang said the project came into being after government leased a portion of land measuring 36 200 square kilometres at Walvis Bay, Namibia to establish a Dry Port that would realise the facilitation of import and export activities of Botswana and SADC member countries .

She said in July 2012, Botswana Railways (BR), a commercial enterprise of government with the core mandate of transporting freight and passengers was appointed to develop the Dry Port.

On the objectives of the project development, Ms Batsalelwang said the establishment of a Dry Port at Walvis Bay, Namibia will among other objectives stimulate Botswana’s growing economy by creating appropriate infrastructure and processes that provide a supportive regulatory environment so as to encourage international trade.

“It will also integrate Botswana and the SADC with overseas countries through the Port of Walvis Bay, henceforth strengthening the multi-modal transport solutions and creating opportunities for new services.”

Ms Batsalelwang said prior to commissioning of the project, a feasibility study was conducted which informed and recommended on the types of commodities and services to be handled by the Dry Port. As such, Ms Batsalelwang said the ongoing developments at the Dry Port will be able to handle machinery, vehicles and related products.

She added that the Dry Port will also be able to hold chemicals, fertilisers and related products, bulk food stuffs such as maize, dairy products, processed foods, beverages and other agricultural products. Building materials, steel and related products, service providers including customs, forwarding agents and transporters will also be accommodated at the Dry Port, she said. ENDS