Train manufacturing plant set to start later this year
Construction of 600 000m2 Alstom-led Gibela train manufacturing facility south of the military base in Dunnottar, was set to commence in February, but while the first new trains were expected to be delivered this year, construction of the plant has not yet started.
Read the full story in HERAUT this week:
The proposed plant is for the development of a factory for manufacturing new rolling stock of train carriages and it is said the project will transform the local welding and cutting industry by boosting exports and establishing South Africa as a rail fleet production centre.
HERAUT addressed the issue of delay through an enquiry addressed to the community development manager of Gibela, Sipho Bambisa and has learned that the R1-billion construction of the train factory is now scheduled to start in the third quarter of this year.
According to Pamella Radebe, the communications director of Gibela, the first 20 out of an order of 600 commuter trains being built for PRASA by Gibela in Brazil are still in production, with the first train only expected on local shores in November.
Meanwhile, plans for the manufacturing of the Dunnottar plant is continuing. According to Pamela Radebe, communications director of Gibela, this site had been chosen because Ekurhuleni Metropolitan Municipality has an adequate infrastructure capacity in its road network, enough electricity for heavy industrial use and a credible and ready water supply.
Addressing employment opportunities, Gibela’s CEO Marc Granger said “when the facility is up and running it will provide employment for at least 1 500 people, the majority of whom will be skilled artisans.” He added that the applicant recruitment process is at an advanced planning stage for permanent positions, with clear career paths for those selected. There are likely to be many more applicants than positions available, and the selection process will be demanding.
It is, however, worthy to note that opportunities exist in the Gibela contract for the training of those who are not qualified, in various rail-related skills for possible jobs in the rail industry.
