China reasserts its support to Tazara

Tanzania Zambia Railway Authority (Tazara) has attributed the role played by Chinese-Africa People's Friendship to the strengthening and improvement of the railway to assuring its continued contribution to the economies of the two countries.

Speaking last week during the visits of Chinese-Africa People's Friendship Association (CAPFA) delegation to Tazara, the Railway Acting Managing Director, Saidi Sauko pointed out that the friendship has had good impact so far.

Last year, China, Tanzania and Zambia signed the 15th Economic and Technical Co-operation protocol which is to be implemented in June or July later this year.

Sauko also said that the protocol will enable the authority to conduct rehabilitation of the shunting locomotives as well as provide the much needed spare parts and technical support.

“We thank the Chinese for their support, they have graciously allowed a team of experts from their country to be based here to assure continued provision of technical expertise and advice,” he revealed.

“Tazara stands today as the most significant symbol of the friendship between the three countries and continues to provide a platform for political and social economic relationships to blossom amongst the three and their people,” he added.

Tazara has in the last 37 years of its existence, transported over 50 million passengers, 30 million tones of freight and over 100 million parcels between and within the two countries and in the region.

“We have over the years provided stable employment to the citizens of Tanzania and Zambia, with over one million people having passed through the employment system of Tazara since inception,” he detailed on the authorities history.

Apart from the two owner states, other countries reaping the benefits of Tazara are, Democratic republic of Congo, Malawi, Zimbabwe, Rwanda, Burundi and South Africa through Tazara’s provision of affordable, secure and reliable services.

Chinese involvement in the railway system in not new, in fact it is the Chinese that financed it original construction.

Tazara was constructed between 1970 and 1975. The Project was financed through an interest free loan of RMBY 988 Million (equivalent to US Dollars 500 Million) from the Peoples Republic of China and started commercial operations in July 1976.

Now Tazara is an integral part of the southern Africa Regional Rail Transport Network. It is a rail link of approximately 1,860 km long rising from sea level at the port in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania to the heights of New Kapiri Mposhi at 1400m above sea level in the central African country of Zambia.

With growing, population and economies across the region, the services by Tazara are today even more relevant than ever before and as such the new Chinese aide comes at an appropriate time, he went on to explain.

SOURCE: THE GUARDIAN