Against the backdrop of the African Nations Cup (ANC) that Gabon will jointly organise with Equatorial Guinea in 2012, the Trans-Gabon railway operator (SETRAG) is intending to strengthen its locomotive fleet.

André Alliguie, head of the company’s rolling stock department, announced that SETRAG is to procure six new locomotives in 2011 to increase its passenger transport capacity between Libreville and Franceville, the main city in the south-eastern province of Haut-Ogooué, the second location chosen to host the ANC matches in 2012.

An investment of four billion CFA francs will also be made to purchase a passenger trainset. These procurements are to follow the computerisation of the ticketing system to handle onboard clientele and reduce waiting time.