United Republic of Tanzania and Zambian are working together to build a stronger economic belt in order to improve their economies.
The two countries have embarked on various reforms such as reviewing the Tanzania -Zambia Railways (TAZARA) Act to enable the private sector participate in the running of the joint railway company.
Tanzanian Deputy Minister of Works, Transport and Communications Atashasta Nditiye said the move will result in improved operations of the joint railway venture between Tanzania and Zambia.
Mr. Nditiye disclosed that the arrangement will see locomotives and wagons for the train service being refurbished for enhanced transportation of goods and services on the railway line.
He was speaking yesterday when he officiated at the study tour conference of the Dar es Salaam Port at Julius Nyerere International Convention Center in Tanzania.
“We will be reviewing the Act to allow the private sector to help run TAZARA. We want the wagons and locomotives to be rehabilitated to improve the operations of TAZARA,” he said.
Duty Minister said Tanzania has removed barriers such as road blocks from 54 to three to ease transportation of goods and people from Dar es Salaam to land linked countries such as Zambia.
He pointed out that his Government wants to increase trade volumes with neigbouring countries by improving and developing key infrastructure to connect and facilitate transportation of cargo and people.
He further emphasized that Tanzania wants Dar es Salaam to become a hub for the transportation of cargo and that it handled over 15 million tonnes of cargo in 2017.
Meanwhile, Tanzania Port Authority Director General, Deusdedit Kakoko said Tanzania has witnessed a turnaround regarding the authority’s operations.
Engineer Kakoko urged Zambia and other countries in the region to continue using the port of Dar es Salaam as it has significantly improved its customer care and security systems.
On the other hand, Zambia Cargo and Logistics Limited Chief Executive Officer David Chimfwembe stated that the announcement by Tanzania to review the TAZARA Act is relevant and significant to the transport sector.
“When you have a reliable railway, customers have more options. It is good for our customers and it will reduce congestion on the roads,” he said.
He further emphasized that Zambia stands a chance to benefit from the facilities in Tanzania including the Dar es Salaam Port because it is a port of choice.
The Tanzania Ports Authority was established by the Ports Act number 17 of 2004 as a landlord Port Authority.
Going back to what ZRL did years ago …here is a company that transports billions of dollars worth copper and other goods a year and you have lamentably failed to manage it and you want to create a national airline.
The Private Sector has been failing to run the Eastern coast line in the UK because their interests are misplaced. In Zambia it will be a disaster.
Change the rail to electric. The private sector wants immediate profits and not service delivery
As if TAZARA isn’t a disaster already!
Lets move! Dept of HaNegatives will not derail our Hagenda.