Materials arrive for rehabilitation of railway

A "major shipment" of construction materials for the rehabilitation of the railway line linking the Republic of Congo's coastal economic hub, Pointe Noire, with its capital, Brazzaville, has been received by railway authorities, a supplier of the materials told IRIN on Wednesday. The supplier, Mianmbanzila Company, said that it had provided the Chemin de fer Congo-Ocean - the public railway firm - with a "major shipment" of items, including iron sheeting and bolts. The provision of materials to the railway is part of a US $16-million World Bank-financed rehabilitation project aimed at repairing damaged national infrastructure and improving living conditions for the Congolese. Project coordinator Maurice Bouesso said he expected to have 70 percent of planned activities completed by the end of 2003, including repairs to cargo and passenger trains, installation of an improved radio communication network and rehabilitation of a ventilation system in a major tunnel of the railway. The railway serves as a critical lifeline for Brazzaville, where about one-third of the country's people live. Following the eruption of hostilities in the Pool Region in March 2002, the railway was frequently attacked by "Ninja" rebels loyal to Rev Frederic Bitsangou, alias Pasteur Ntoumi, with tracks having been mined and cargo - including vital food and petrol supplies for the capital - having been pillaged. In early July, the railway firm signed an agreement with the Ministry of Defence for the provision of security along the rail line. An improved situation in Pool followed a peace agreement signed on 17 March between the government and Bitsangou, which ended a year of hostilities. Tens of thousands of people fled the region, while fighting trapped many more.