Writes Leo Odera Omolo
Tanzania is expected to spend the colossal amount of USD 330 million to upgrade its railways network in order to make it competitive with those across Central and Southern Africa.
The venture involves track repair and up grades including changing the national network rail line to the standard gauge.
The move according to an impeccable source in Arusha follow tripartite agreement to harmonize operations between the Tanzania-Zambia Railway Authority [Tazara] Zambia Railways Limited,and the Societe National des Chemine des Fer do CongoSari of the Democratic Republic of Congo,the National Raiway operation of Tanzania,Zambia and DR Congo respectively.
The deal which was signed recently is expected to facilitate smooth and seamless transportation of goods and passengers in the three states.
Tanzania’s Transport Minister Harrison Mwakyembe was quoted last week as saying the sums of Tshs 6 billion {USD 3.7 million] had so far been spent on the renovations, train carriages and railway infrastructure for the Tanzania Railway ltd.
The government has ordered 274 passenger wagons,22 locomotives,23 wagons and 34 railway stocks,brakes {brakes vans},which are expected in the country before the end of June this year.
According to Minister Mwakyembe, the government of Tanzania through Tazara has also secured USD 39 million from China to buy six new locomotives 80 new wagons and spare parts as well as to renovate nine locomotive engines.
The Central rail line running westwards from Dar Es Salaam through Dodoma will be improved substantially this year, he added.
The upgraded Tanzania Central line on a standard gauge is expected to carry 35 million tones of freight annually to Rwanda, Burundi, Uganda and eastern DRCongo..
Dalmas Ndamburo the managing director of the Tazara said the acquisition of the new locomotives and other measures by the management is expected to increase the tonnage of cargo that it hauls.
Dr Ndamburo said the government of Zambia is providing the USD 82 milion needed to keep the UHURU railway line afloat.
Tazara operates in two countries of Zambia and Tanzania –both which have regional managers working on the set performance benchmarks. Tanzania hosts the headquarters. Each regional manager has been tasked with the responsibility of increasing tonnage of cargo and goods from 30,000 to 809,000 tones.
The railway line which is to connect Rwanda,Burundi and Tanzania is now under construction.
Charles Tireba, the deputy Minister for Transport sasid the Dar Es Salaam-Isaka-Kigali / Reza, Getag M Mosongoti Railway project which is estimated to cost USD 52 billion will take four years to complete and is expected to lower Rwanda’s and Burundi’ transport costs.
Rwanda and Burundi have had to bear high transport costs when ferrying goods from the Kenyan coastal port of Mombasa and Dar Es Salaam, which has increased the cost of doing business in the two countries. The new railway line is also expected to reduce the time it takes to transport cargo from Dar Es Salaam.The use of road takes four days while the railway will take just two days.
Tanzania is currently seeking USD 13,3 billion to finance infrastructure projects.
These projects include the rehabilitation of the railways from Dar Es Salaam to Tabora as well as Kilimapanda line to Kasanga port on Lake Tanganyika.
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