The accumulated losses of the Tunisian National Railway Company (SNCFT) would amount to 800 million dinars (MD) in 2020, while its debts exceeded 365 MD and the company’s dues to ministries under free transport exceeded 62 MD at the end of March 2021, Minister of Transport and Logistics Moez Chakchouk said Monday.

The company’s strategic plan is focused on the rehabilitation of infrastructure, renewal of equipment, improving governance, restoring financial balance and developing services, he said at a hearing by the Parliamentary Committee on Administrative Reform, Good Governance, Anti-Corruption and Control of Management of Public Funds.

A preliminary study on the restructuring of the SNCFT will be considered in Cabinet meeting by the end of the current year, he noted, reiterating the ministry’s commitment to preserve state enterprises and reform them as soon as possible.

Chakchouk outlined the structural difficulties faced by the SNCFT, including particularly the obsolescence of its fleet, its inability to acquire spare parts necessary for maintenance, the deterioration of the situation of maintenance warehouses and the lack of skilled labor.

The Minister also stressed the importance of mobilising the necessary funding to remove obstacles that hamper the company’s investments and negatively impact its performance and services, considering that it is necessary to leave some projects to the Company of the Rapid Rail Network of Tunis, after its status will be changed.

In response to a question on the role played by the company in the transport of phosphates and grains, the Minister said the Department plans to increase the share of rail transport of grain from 7% currently to 10% in 2022, by strengthening cooperation between the public companies concerned.

The Tunisian railway network covers 2150 km, including 1777 km not operated while the fleet consists of 145 locomotives, 30 electric trains serving the suburbs, 30 trains for the main lines, 112 passenger carriages, 2003 freight wagons, 1083 goods wagons, 1361 containers, in addition to the 28 electric trains under the Society of the Rapid Railway Network of Tunis, according to the Minister.

Source: TAP News Agency