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The
two main issues are focussed on the continual
struggle to improve traffic circulation
in and out of the Lagos port area of Apapa
and Tin Can Island, where the lack of investment
in new bridges, roadworthy highways and
trailer parks has led to roadsides littered
with parked trucks, bringing permanent chaos.
Intimidation
of truckers by various Nigerian officials
as well as robberies have compromised safety,
in spite of authorities attempting to restrict
freight vehicle movements to evening and
night hours and introducing inland clearance
depots in Kanu and Kaduna.
Further
South, Angola's port Luanda noted a significant
drop in container volumes. This has been
somewhat overshadowed by further commitments
by the Japanese government to the tune of
$20 million to fund the further expansion
of the Port of Namibe within two years.
Such
projects are likely to be dependent on the
evolution of the oil and gas market given
Angola's dependence on the sector.
In
Namibia, works continue on the planned expansion
of the Walvis Bay container terminal, adding
600 metres of quay length to the existing
1,500 metres and 650,000 TEU per annum capacity
to the existing 350 000 TEU by 2017.
In
South Africa, the lower value of the rand
as well as a general slowdown of economic
activity has led to some sombre predictions
for 2016, despite the recent pledge by the
President to invest ZAR7 billion into port
and transport-related infrastructure following
the recent visit by the Chinese government.
In
reality, the dig-out port project planned
for Durban has now been put on hold with
Transnet Port Authority (TNPA) chief executive
Richard Vallihu stating last December that
main investments would be directed at deepening
the existing berths at Durban and extending
facilities there and at Richards Bay.
In
Mozambique, Beira recovered its rail connection
to Sena, which mostly carries coal from
the Vale mining operation in the Tete Province.
But
a derailment caused major damage to the
line. The country remains beset by problems
with the leader of the Renamo opposition
shot and wounded near Beira last month.
Rebels
have been active along the main highways
connecting the country with landlocked neighbours
and the port city has suffered regular power
cuts last year. A major fire also broke
out in the Matola Grain terminal in December,
with five people losing their lives following
an attempt by thieves to illegally siphon
off fuel.
But
the TICTS (Tanzania International Container
Terminal Services) facility run by Hong
Kong's Hutchinson Port Holdings will receive
between $300 million-$400 million in investment
over the next five years.
Secondly,
DP World has signed a 25-year concession
to construct and operate a major $35 million
inland logistics hub in Kigali, Rwanda.
Trade
Mark East Africa will work with several
partners to improve road access to and from
TICTS and the Tanzania Port Authority (TPA)
terminal with its Dar es Salaam Maritime
Gateway Project (DMGP).
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