The Moçâmedes Railway (CFM) experienced losses of up to 160 million Kwanzas (approximately 190,704 USD) during the 31-day suspension of train services on the Huíla/Cuando Cubango section.
This disruption was caused by heavy rains that washed away two hydraulic crossings.
The floods on February 3rd and 4th severely impacted the railway infrastructure, destroying the hydraulic passage between the towns of Chanja and Olivença.
Repair works, which took a month to complete, cost the state-owned company based in Lubango 100 million Kz (about 119,190 USD), according to CFM’s commercial director, Carlos Roll.
Speaking to ANGOP, Roll emphasized that the company will now strive to recover its losses with the resumption of passenger and freight train services today, Thursday.
He noted that there is a daily train service between Lubango and Menongue and another service that extends to the Jamba municipality, covering the route from Dongo to Tchamutete.
Roll also highlighted the importance of this resumption for local farmers, who can now transport their products as the harvest season approaches. CFM is fully operational, aiming to serve the community along the entire railway line.
CFM’s weekly schedule includes two daily freight trains from Lubango, where the company is headquartered, to Namibe.
Additionally, there are six passenger train frequencies covering a total route of 806 kilometers, passing through 56 stations in the provinces of Namibe, Huíla, and Cuando-Cubango.
