Latest Media Releases
2006
Spoornet Chief to Head the Union of African Railways
Spoornet's Chief Executive, Siyabonga Gama, has been elected as President of the Union of African Railways (UAR). The Union is made up of members from railway undertakings within the territories of the member states of the African Union (AU) and the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (UNECA). Gama will hold office for a period of two years.
The Union's objective is to seek the standardisation, expansion, coordination and improvement of railway services of the UAR members with a view to linking them to each other and to other means of transportation connecting the Africa region to the world.
The other objective is to establish and maintain relationships with other transport undertakings or associations and interested governments and institutions for the study of matters of interest to and the coordination and development of the activities of the members of the Union. The UAR is a member of the International Union of Railways (UIC).
In describing his new role and the challenges ahead, Gama said, "The Union is a specialised agency of the AU, responsible for railway development in Africa. My focus will be on the implementation of the Brazzaville Declaration, which was adopted at the 1st Conference of African Ministers responsible for railway transport held in Brazzaville earlier this year. I will also pay a special attention on making the UIC a truly world body."
Given the lack of connectivity of African railway networks as well as the financial, technical and operational difficulties which some African railway networks face, the UAR certainly have their work cut out for them. Their success is essential to open the continent's markets to the rest of the world and ultimately ensure a prosperous African economy.
For further enquiries, contact:
Molatwane Likhethe
Spoornet's Spokesperson
083 300 9586.
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