Report Back Angola Rail 2023 - Railway Technical Conference
The closing session of the second edition of the cycle of Railway Technical Conferences was graced by the attendance of the Secretary of State for Land Transport, Dr. Jorge Bengui. He represented Dr. Ricardo de Abreu, the Angola Minister of Transport.
Jorge Bengui highlighted the significance of this event, which marked the 135th anniversary of the start of railway exploration in Angola. Additionally, the conference coincided with the SADC Railway Safety Week, spearheaded by the Association of Railway Technicians of Angola (ATECFA). Dr. Bengui emphasized the ongoing projects aimed at enhancing the efficiency of the CFL (Caminho de Ferro de Luanda). Notably, CFL serves as one of the key access routes to the Dr. António Agostinho Neto International Airport (AIAAN).
Bungo’s advancements in signalling and telecommunications were showcased, portraying the commitment to delivering superior quality, safety, and efficiency in services offered by CFL.
Dr. Bengui indicated the upcoming projects for the following year, which include fencing the CFL’s Bungo section up to KM44. This initiative has been necessitated by the current unregulated use of this line, often exploited for various purposes including informal sales.
The Transport Sector’s Master Plan envisions expanding the CFL to connect three railway lines. As Dr. Bengui explained, priority will be accorded to linking Malanje and Saurimo and extending branches from Luena to Saurimo, Malanje to Cuito, and Cuito to Menongue.
Dr. Bengui also touched upon the importance of human capital in the development of railways, emphasizing the role of training and certification for technicians. He lauded ATECFA’s commitment to collaborating with the railway sector authorities for the betterment of the workforce.
Additionally, Dr. Bengui underscored the significance of establishing partnerships with ATECFA for the managers of public enterprises. This event was further enriched by notable messages from Dr. Christian Chavanel, representing the International Union of Railways (UIC) and Minister João Galamba, the Minister of Infrastructure and Housing of Portugal. Both expressed their thoughts to the conference attendees, especially Dr. Ricardo de Abreu.
This esteemed event witnessed the participation of experts from both Angola and abroad. Topics discussed spanned infrastructure maintenance, rolling stock, signalling and communication, professional training, and workforce certification. Renowned companies and associations from nations like Brasil, China, Israel, USA, Portugal, South Africa, and Franca collaborated for the successful execution of this global event, with ATECFA and its partners at the forefront.
In conclusion, following the triumphant hosting of this edition in Luanda, there is great anticipation that the next Cycle of Railway Technical Conferences – ANGOLA RAIL 2024 will be held in the pivotal railway city of Lobito.
