TANZANIA AND DRC SIGN MOU FOR MAJOR SGR INFRASTRUCTURAL PROJECTS

Tanzania and DR Congo’s vision to further improve trade ties has continued to bear fruits as the two countries’ transport and works ministers signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to begin the execution of roads, railway and ports infrastructure projects in the Central Corridor by early next year.

Two weeks ago, the President of DR Congo Felix Tshisekedi was in the country for a two-day working visit, whereby various agreements were reached in boosting trade between the two countries.

And on Wednesday, Minister for Works and Transport, Prof Makame Mbarawe signed an MoU with his counterparts from DRC–Ministers for Works Mr Alexis Muvunyi and Transport Minister Cherubin Senga, during a ministerial meeting held in Dar es, Salaam.

Prof Mbarawa indicated that the MoU will see the construction of a 1,200 km railway line from Karema to Lubumbashi for 1.2 billion US dollars and two big ships, which will be used to transport cargo and vehicles in Lake Tanganyika.

“The project of constructing the ships is already on track with the government announcing its tender to begin its implementation…the goal is to improve and strengthen trade by improving transport infrastructure in the two countries,” said Prof Mbarawa.

Similarly, the MoU will see the implementation of a 1000 km road project from Lubumbashi to Karema valued at 1tri/-, with the minister indicating that the project will be carried out in phases, whereas the first phase will cost up to 300bn/-.

Regarding port improvement, Prof Mbarawa noted that they have agreed to improve the port in Kalemie by expanding its berths and depths for 22 million US dollars (about 50bn/-).

According to him, the major improvement will help to improve business between the two countries, citing that Eastern Congo depends on the Dar es Salaam Port by 100 per cent but due to several challenges, it was forcing some traders to opt for ports in other corridors.

“Tanzania and DR Congo ties have a long history in various, areas but due to infrastructure challenges, it is hampering effective trade operations of the two countries…but with the improvement underway it will give a relief of time and cost to the business persons in DR Congo,” he noted.

He went on to reveal that three months ago, a team of experts from Tanzania visited DR Congo to find out various challenges regarding infrastructure and came up with recommendations.

To put in place a conducive business environment, he said the government was carrying out various infrastructure projects to connect the two countries, including improvement of the Dar es Salaam and Kigoma Ports, construction of Kwala Port and the Standard Gauge Railway from Dar es Salaam to Tabora.

Expounding further, minister Mbarawa said locomotives of the SGR train and 600 locomotives for the metre gauge train have been purchased.

On his part, Mr Muvunyi said that the recommendations from the two countries’ technical committee and steering committee have been approved, resulting in the MoU that has been reached.

He pointed out that the meeting was aimed to materialise the vision of the heads of the two states, stressing that the signing of the MoU will be beneficial to the two countries.

“We call upon colleagues to support the programme for a win-win partnership in the execution of the project…progress achieved is contributed to the goodwill of the two governments to implement the programme,” he noted.

SOURCE: DailyNews