TRC continues to partner with Zambia through rail transport
The President of the Republic of Zambia Hon. Hakainde Hichilema recently visited Tanzania and had the opportunity to visit the construction project of the modern railway - SGR first piece Dar es Salaam - Morogoro at the modern railway station in Dar es Salaam on August 02, 2022.
Speaking on behalf of President Hichilema during the visit, the Minister of Transport in Zambia Hon. Franka Tayali has said that the Government of Tanzania has done a good thing to build a modern railway where through this construction, the country of Zambia will have the opportunity to cooperate commercially with the country of Tanzania in closeness and speed compared to before.
“The construction of a modern railway is something that has been debated in our parliament that we need a revolution in the railway transport sector. therefore, in this visit, I have made a purposeful effort so that the president can come here and see for himself the good work done in this construction" said Reverend Frank Tayali.
In addition, Mr. Tayali added that the construction of SGR Tanzania has brought about a revolution in rethinking the railway transport sector in Zambia, as the strategies to build a modern railway in Zambia have already started with some preliminary negotiations with the contractor who is building the railway in Tanzania YAPI MERKEZI. "The construction of the SGR has inspired us a lot in Zambia, when we return home we will continue to work with Tanzania very closely and we will take concrete steps so that what has been done in Tanzania can be done in Zambia, I am sure that the construction of the SGR will unite us and fulfil the wishes of Zambians," said Mr. Minister Tayali.
The Chairman of the Board of Directors TRC Prof. John Kondoro has explained that the goal of building a modern railway is to also help neighbouring African countries to be able to transport goods, however, Prof. Kondoro stressed the importance of visiting each other and developing close relations in the interests of the development of African countries. "We cannot do business effectively with strong investments if there are no close relations with the countries around us including Zambia, Congo (DRC), Burundi and other African countries, so the visit of the Hon. President Hichilema will maintain our relationship especially commercially" said Prof. Kondoro.
In another step, Director General of TRC, Ndugu Masanja Kadogosa said that Tanzania cooperates closely with Zambia in the business sector with neighbouring countries, Kadogosa added that Zambia uses the port of Dar es Salaam and there is great cooperation with TAZARA railway. "For this year until June, Zambia has passed two million tons and more in the port of Dar es Salaam and we are interacting with Zambia through the road in the direction of Lubumbashi," said Kadogosa. The Director General added that there is a big reason for TRC to bring back the connection between Zambia and the TAZARA railway through the central railway TRC at Kidatu station, Mikumi to facilitate the transportation of goods from the port of Dar es Salaam to Zambia.
