Walvis Bay — While Namibia agreed in principal to construct a dedicated railway line that will link Botswana and Namibia for the transportation of coal, the Namibia Ports Authority (Namport) is very busy preparing for the eventuality of shipping coal to the rest of the world.

The Port of Walvis Bay is also diversifying to access western markets as well. "Although we are on the wrong side, effective and efficient services of our port speak volumes. We want to be the preferred port of choice since we are in demand for business and want to capitalise on it," said the Chief Executive Officer of Namport, Bisey /Uirab, when addressing the media yesterday at Walvis Bay.

/Uirab said the coal deposits in Botswana are huge and the government of Botswana is weighing all options to transport coal from their country, one being through Walvis Bay.

"We all know that in business people want to diversify their goods to minimise risks and as far as Namport is concerned, our track record speaks volumes and countries are keen to do business with Namibia," /Uirab said.

Last week the Botswana Member of Parliament, Moiseraele Goya, said the construction of a dedicated railway line from Botswana to Namibia would bring economic wealth estimated to be billions and much needed jobs for both countries.

"Botswana's Morupule coal deposit is one of the biggest in the world and has the capacity to export about 100 million tonnes of coal per annum. You can imagine how much revenue this will create for both countries. Botswana already has a dry port at Walvis Bay and I am sure that we will avail funds in the next financial year," Goya said.

He was speaking on the sidelines to New Era during the Pan-African Parliament Workshop on Infrastructure Development that concluded last week at Walvis Bay.