Sur Construction S.C., one of the companies operated by the TPLF, is bidding to take over the most daunting and expensive project in the rehabilitation of the 89-year old Ethio-Djibouti Railway, Addis Fortune reported.
Despite its lack of expertise in railway construction, Sur was the only Ethiopian company that attended pretender meeting last week at the Addis Abeba Enterprise headquarters. It is competing against five European companies and one South African to rehabilitate 114Km of the 781Km railway, stretching from Dire Dawa to Dewele station and around Hurrso, the pappaer said.
Hutine Montate Ltd and Doprastav a.s from Slovakia, Hauring bou GmbH from Germany, Consta from Italy, TSO SA from France and Grainker Lennings Rail Services from South Africa will challenge Sur in their bid.
Named after a spring in Tigray, Sur was first established in 1992 with a 108 million Br capital. It was later reorganized with its shares redistributed among five shareholders, four of them being EFFORT or other companies within its holdings. Beginning from the martyrs’ monument in Mekelle, Sur has been involved in major national construction activities, including the 67.6 million Br Gonder-Metema road as well as hydroelectric projects at Tis Abbay II and Tekeze, the latter in a joint venture arrangement with Chinese companies.
The tender to select the company that will be awarded by the EU-inanced project was opened two months ago. The result will be made public on August 8, 2006.
Rehabilitaing the railway by upgrading the rail from 20Kg to 40Kg is a prerequisite for Comozar, a South African company, to start its concession deal with the Ethiopian and Djibouti governments. The 25-year concession is still in negotiation.
Once signed, Comozar plans to bring 46 new locomotives and 600 wagons, according to its officials.
For the rehabilitation tender, the Enterprise hired British consultancy firm, Jaccobs Gibb, in February 2006. The hired consultants, along with Enterprise managers, briefed the bidder representatives at the meeting on Tuesday. Bidders were then taken on a two-day field trip.
The EU is expected to finance up to 40 million euro for the rehabilitation program, according to officials at the Enterprise.
Source: Addis Fortune
http://www.addisvoice.com/Surrail.htm
