Malanje – Angola’s Oil Firm Sonangol and Luanda Railway company signed Thursday cooperation consignment agreement providing for transportation of bulk butane gas by train from Luanda to the north-eastern Malanje province.
Gas in rail transport from Luanda to Malanje was suspended in 1988, among other factors, due to the armed conflict in the country.
The process resumed officially on 19 September this year, 33 years later, but the two companies did not sign the agreement until Thursday, 11th, in Malanje province.
The move has come to reduce the risks involved at the time in the road transport of the operational costs, in prevention of loss.
The initiative also helps ensure more gas stocks for the northern-based provinces of Cuanza Norte, Uíge and Malanje.
According to the chairperson of Executive Commission of Gas Business Unity and Renewable Energy of Sonangol, Manuel Barros, in the first phase it is expected to transport 200 tonnes of gas on weekly basis.
“In terms of logistics, the transportation of gas from Luanda to Malanje is of a strategic importance as it is part of the fulfillment of Sonangol’s commitment to increase the availability of this product to the families”, said the official, who was speaking at the signing of the consignment for the re-launch the railway gas transport process with the Luanda Railway (CFL)
The manager added that this initiative is part of the Executive actions included in the development national plan for 2018/2022, but he would not reveal the amount in decrease in rail transport operational costs.
Source: Angola Press News Agency