The National Railway Company of Congo (SNCC) has recently procured five new diesel locomotives, marking a significant advancement in the country’s railway sector. The official handover ceremony, presided over by the Minister of Transport, took place on Monday, March 11th, in Lubumbashi. This acquisition brings the total number of operational locomotives in the state-owned railway transport company to 23.
In the Democratic Republic of Congo, Minister of Transport Marc Ekila led the symbolic ribbon-cutting ceremony in the presence of numerous workers and guests. With this latest addition, the SNCC now boasts a fleet of 23 locomotives. While this number still falls short of meeting the demand for freight and passenger transportation, a genuine revitalization of the SNCC would require at least 100 locomotives and well-maintained railway tracks.
Boniface Muganza, the Technical Director of SNCC, expressed optimism regarding the improvement in the situation. “At present, with a limited number of locomotives and a rather dire situation, we leave wagons stranded along the line. With the new acquisition, we will be able to clear these wagons, thus ensuring customer satisfaction. Consequently, we will increase traffic units,” he affirmed.
Renovation of railway tracks poses another challenge. More than half of the 3,600 kilometers of tracks are in poor condition, as acknowledged by Minister of Transport Marc Ekila. “We are currently working with the Director-General to explore ways to progressively improve the railway tracks. It is a significant challenge. Equipment needs are diverse; therefore, alongside locomotives and trains, we must ensure the tracks are in good condition,” he added.
It’s worth noting that the last significant acquisition of around twenty locomotives dates back to 2015, yet many of them have already experienced mechanical failures. This underscores the urgent need for ongoing investment and maintenance in the Congolese railway infrastructure to ensure efficient and reliable transportation services.