The Tanzania Zambia Railways Authority (TAZARA) has with immediate effect suspended both passenger and goods trains between Tunduma and Dar- es- Salaam due to withdrawal of labour by unionized workers on the Tanzanian side.
The workers are demanding their four months unpaid salaries by management.
This is contained in a press statement from TAZARA Head of Public Relations, Conrad Simuchile, and made available to ZANIS in Kasama today.
Mr Simuchile said as a result of the strike which started on Monday last week the company has with immediate effect suspended both freights until further notice.
He revealed that normal business will, however, continue on the Zambian side between New Kapiri-Mposhi and Nakonde.
The Head of Public Relations said Tuesday Passenger train will run between Kapiri-Mposhi and terminate at Nakonde and return to new Kapiri-Mposhi tomorrow on Wednesday.
And workers at TAZARA Station in Kasama have vowed to continue with the go slow until the arrears are paid.
The workers complained that they have been turned destitute as they were unable to support their families.
The workers, who spoke on condition of anonymity, also appealed to government to immediately remove the current management for their alleged failure to deliver for the benefit of the company.
They said the once profit making company has now been marred by inefficiency as the rail system has failed to operate effectively.
They wondered why they should be crying to government all the time to sort out their financial problems.
Akashambatwa Lewanika is to blame.
How is Aka to blame for lack of capitalisation. Take the Euro bond there.
One man and a dog walking to Nakonde…
ET as MD? No wonder the whole thing is not working. Please remove that picture of this man……it is creepy!
Too bad….. hope the situation will be resolved once and for all, no one wins when all sides give up on each other. True that Government can not be expected to patch up things for them all the time, this company ought to come up with a lasting crisis management option, otherwise, one day Tazara may not come out of the Coma!
I agree with “Earthling” the photo of the MD is not inspiring, that’s why TAZARA has completely lost direction despite assistance from the governments.
The question is, Why is the Zambian government letting this retired mining engineer spoil things in the railway industry?
y can’t the government just cut the line at nakonde we are tied with these Swahilis they don’t appreciat three quoters of Tanzanian port activities are business destined for Zambia its better we reroute and join nakara rail and work with the mambas in Mozambique