DODOMA (Tanzania)— PRIME Minister Kassim Majaliwa said that the government will ensure that the Standard Gauge Railway (SGR) project is built to agreed-upon standards and completed on time.
He stated that the railway’s construction is progressing well in all sections and that the government will ensure that it is not stalled and will address all indicators that could impede its implementation.
The Premier made the remarks in Dodoma while inspecting the development of the construction of the Dodoma main station in the Mkonze area.
The construction of SGR consists of five phases covering a 1,219 km long main track: Phase one Dar es Salaam – Morogoro (300 km). The project was launched in April 2017 and is constructed by Yapi Merkezi and Mota Engil Africa;
Phase two of Morogoro- Makutupora (422 km) was launched in March 2018. The construction is carried out by Yapi Merkezi, Phase three Makutupora –Tabora (294 km) – Yapi Merkezi, Phase four Tabora – Isaka (130 km) – Yapı Merkezi and Phase five Isaka – Mwanza (249 km) – China Civil Engineering Construction Corporation and China Railway Construction Limited.
After inspecting the progress of the station’s construction, Majaliwa urged Tanzanians involved to manage and safeguard and ensure that it is completed as intended.
“The sixth phase of government continues with railway construction strategy, Tanzanians should therefore continue to have faith in their leaders, as our goal is to ensure that we elevate the economy of individuals and the nation as a whole,” he noted.
Furthermore, Majaliwa urged the Dodoma City Director to develop an investment strategy in light of the SGR construction opportunity, which includes the construction of a bus station adjacent to the SGR station.
In response, Masanja Kadogosa, Director General of the Tanzania Railway Corporation (TRC) noted that the Corporation is in the process of purchasing locomotives and freight wagons.
“To date, the TRC has signed contracts to purchase 19 electric locomotives and 10 train sets totalling 80 units,” he added.
He also stated that the corporation will purchase standard 89-passenger wagons, 1,430 freight wagons, and repair 26 equipment.
Kadogosa said they have received the first consignment of passenger wagons for the long journeys, adding: “We have already received 14 passenger wagons for the operation of the first section from Dar es Salaam to Morogoro, which will be handed officially to the Minister for Works and Transport Prof Makame Mbarawa.”
The first batch of wagons supplied by Sung Shin Rolling Stock Technology Company (SSRST) of South Korea, as part of 59 wagons to be delivered by the company, all worth US$55,645,168.00, which is equivalent to 129.7bn/-.
Ahead of the commissioning of SGR in February next year, TRC has been undertaking various measures as part of preparations including providing capacity-building training for its executives on maintenance and operation.
The Korean firm was contracted by TRC in September 2020 together with other three companies during the 2020/21 financial year but in different months.
Source: Nam News Network