Huambo, Angola, 28 July – Angola’s Deputy Transport Minister, José João Kuvingwa, said Tuesday in the city of Huambo that the Benguela Railroad (CFB) may start operating in the first half of 2011, a year ahead of the projected date.

“The deadline for execution of this work is 2012 but, taking into consideration the advantages that the train will bring to the region’s social and economic development, we plan, even before the start of regular links, to supply the population with a train exclusively for transporting cargo,” said Kuvingwa.

The deputy minister, who met in Huambo with officials from the Chinese company in charge of rebuilding the railroad, said that despite work currently being at a halt, it was possible that the train will pass through this region in the first six months of next year.

Kuvingwa noted that the Ministry of Transport’s aim was to reduce the difficulties faced by the population in the centre and east of the country with transporting cargo.

The deputy minister announced, for the next two months of this year, the re-launch of work to conclude the Benguela Railroad and re-stated the Angolan government’s aim for the train to start circulating again linking Benguela with the provinces of Huambo, Bié and Moxico. (macauhub)