Luanda – With the completion of the works on the Luanda, Benguela and Moçamedes railways, the Angolan Government will provide for their interconnection, Angop learned from an official source in Luena, eastern Moxico province.

According to the national director of railways, Júlio Bango Joaquim, a project for the nationwide interconnection of the various railways is in the pipeline.

 
As an example, he mentioned that the northern line will start from Luanda, across Uige and Zaire provinces, up to the neighbouring Democratic Republic of Congo, then down to Angola’s northern Cabinda province.

"The project is ambitious, for the medium and long term and once complete will enable the country to be interconnected by the railways," he said.

 
On the other hand, Júlio Bango said studies have been conducted to define the railway network which will be implemented with the completion of the rehabilitation of the old railways.

He said the study will define the connection points, in view of the economic and social  interests, mentioning the case of the Luenal/Luau stretch, in Moxico province, where a connection with Zambia is being considered.

 
The source also spoke of the possibility of a connection between the Luanda and Benguela Railways via Malanje, which will permit the inter-connection in the centre, coast and east, under a project that will involve various phases.

 
According to Júlio Bango, the connection with the neighbouring republic of Namibia will follow that of Zambia.

 
Meanwhile, the Benguela Railway (CFB) is performing its inaugural trip between Kuito (central Bie province) and Luena which is being awaited with much expectation by the populations from the eastern region of the country.