Speaking shortly after signing a Memorandum of understanding (MoU)
with the government over the weekend in Dar es Salaam, Chinese
Ambassador to Tanzania, Dr Lu Youqing estimated the total cost for the
wagons to be 16bn/-.
“Our aim is to revamp TAZARA services…we want customers to enjoy
their trip,” said the Ambassador adding that new wagons are expected in
the country early next year.
“Tanzania and China’s bilateral relations were established in 1965
by the fathers of the two nations in Beijing, China,” he recalled
pledging to cement the relations further.
“The donation is part of the Chinese government’s efforts to cement the existing relationship,” he said.
“In 1965, the late, President Julius Nyerere and his counterpart
Mao Tse Tung of China agreed to establish close friendship ties…it was
later improved to boost economic development in both countries,” Dr
Youqing noted.
Acting Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Finance Doroth
Mwanyika said the donation will promote economic growth of the country
and region as a whole.
“The number of passengers travelling to and from each destination
will increase and that way boost trade and social development,” she
said.
“We appreciate the move by the government of China as it gears to ensure provision of quality transport services,” she added.
Meanwhile, Tazara Acting Director General, Ronald Phiri said that one of the major challenges facing Tazara is recapitalization.
Elaborating, Phiri said the authority has been facing difficulties
in purchasing new equipments, communications facilities, fuel and
meeting salary payments.
He said due to the above challenges, the railway’s carriage
capacity has dropped from 480,000 tons to 208,000 tons in the year
2012/2013.
According to him the authority’s annual target is at least 600,000
tons annually at which capacity, Tazara will be able to operate
profitably, he siad.
SOURCE:
THE GUARDIAN
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