Zambia, China and Tanzania have signed the TAZARA Revitalisation Project Agreements after more than a year and a half of negotiations.
The 1.4 billion United States dollars project includes an initial investment of $1.1 billion and $238 million in re-investments.
In a statement to media Ministry of Transport and Logistics Principal Public Relations Officer Ernest Chanda, disclosed that the works will cover rehabilitation of the track from Dar es Salaam to new Kapiri Mposhi, along with major workshops.
The project will also maintain the existing line and deliver 34 new locomotives, 16 passenger coaches and 760 wagons.
And speaking at the signing ceremony, Minister of Transport and Logistics Frank Tayali said the revitalisation of TAZARA represents more than restoring a railway line, but about reigniting a vision of regional integration, economic growth and shared prosperity.
Mr Tayali said the project also gives farmers, traders and industries, a lifeline that connects them to markets across borders and beyond
“It also opens up opportunities for young people, builds capacity in TAZARA and strengthens the bonds of friendship among nations,” Mr. Tayali said.
And Tanzanian Minister of Transport Makame Mbarawa added that the initiative will benefit both countries economically while creating jobs.
Meanwhile, China Railways Construction Corporation Limited (CRCC) Chairman Dai Hegen highlighted the company’s successful projects on the continent, including the Ethiopia-Djibouti Railway and the TAZARA Memorial Park.
CRCC originally built TAZARA between 1970 and 1976.
Thought it would be modernized to. allow for electric trains.
With loadshedding!
There’s a hidden lesson for both Zambia and Tanzania in this deal. You can see it costs more than the initial construction deal. The two African countries especially Zambia need to learn maintenance because its lack is what has given birth to this $1.4 billion deal. Maintenance would reduce the need for overhauling structure. There’s a youtube doccie on how one unqualified man without implements looks after a Zambian section of such an important railway link and yet it has top management! Zambia, be serious.
If Zambia was serious Tazara could have by now branched off from Mpika into Luangwa Valley to Lusaka, thus offering a shortcut for traffic from southern, Lusaka and Eastern Provinces to Mchinga and Northern Provinces.