South African and Democratic Republic of Congo transport departments sign ground-breaking agreement
The Minister of Transport, Ms. Sindisiwe Chikunga will, on Friday, 4th August, receive and welcome her Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) counterpart, the Minister of Transport and Communication Channels His Excellency Marc Ekila Likombo joined by a delegation of senior transport and technical experts from the DRC.
The visit and engagement of the two Ministers is preceded by a Transport Dialogue and Technical Workshop gathering of senior technical officials and experts from both countries covering various transport modes and entities of the Department spanning the South African Civil Aviation Authority (SACAA), the Airport Company South Africa (ACSA), the Air Traffic Navigation Services (ATNS), the Cross-Border Road Transport Agency (C-BRTA), the Passenger Rail Agency of South Africa (PRASA) the South African National Roads Agency Limited (SANRAL), the South African Maritime Safety Authority (SAMSA) among others.
South Africa and the DRC negotiated a Memorandum of Understanding on Cooperation in Transport Related Matters since 2016. The MoU provides for cooperation in the following areas:
- Civil Aviation;
- Merchant Shipping and Maritime related matters;
- Land Transport Infrastructure;
- Land Transport Safety;
- Transport Services;
- Road Traffic Management, and
- Exchange of Technical Expertise and Technology Transfer
As part of this visit, Minister Chikunga and Minister Likombo will undertake a detailed programme of transport infrastructure site visits, inspections and walk about in several provinces and key points during which Minister Chikunga will share and showcase South Africa’s best practice transport infrastructure across the various modes.
Following the robust engagements and deliberations the senior officials and technical experts will consolidate reports for Minister Chikunga and Minister Likombo to sign as Bilateral Agreements on transport related matters to enhance economic benefits for both countries.
The itinerary of the two Ministers’ site visits, inspections, walk abouts and Signing Ceremony are as follows:
Day 1. Saturday, 5 August 2023
Venues:
OR Tambo International Airport site inspection and walk about
Ministers’ Signing Ceremony and Exchange of Agreements
Upington Airport site inspection and walk about
Dube Trade Port site inspection and walk about
Time: 09h00
Day 2: Sunday, 6 August 2023
Venues:
Mount Edgecombe Interchange site inspection and walk about
Durban Port site inspection and walk about
Time: 09h00
Day 3: Monday, 7 August 2023
Venues
Gibela Rail Factory site inspection, train ride and tour. Dunnottar, Nigel
Time 09h00
Ministerial Delegation Gala Dinner: Sandton City, Johannesburg.
Time 19h00
Members of the media attending the event are requested to confirm their attendance with Sam Monareng on 073 491 3382 or Monarens@dot.gov.za or Ivy Masale on 076 789 5538 or masalei@dot.gov.za
Enquiries:
Collen Msibi
Cell: 066 476 9015
