DAR ES SALAAM, Tanzania – The East African and Central members states have being agreed to work together through Public Private Partnership (PPP) to revamp the regional infrastructure system in harmonizing regional integration to foster social and economic development in the region.

Speaking to invited delegates during the two days 5th East and Central Africa Roads and Rail Infrastructure Summit last week in Dar es Salaam, the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Transport, Dr Shaaban Mwinjaka said member states are ready to work together in collaboration with private sector in improving infrastructure system in the region such as roads, railways and airports.

“There are a lot of opportunities so let us work together and invest together to foster regional integration and improving infrastructure system that fuel economic developments,” he said.

Dr Mwinjaka noted that the government of Tanzania through the ministry of Transport is currently working hard to ensure that the central railway line operates effectively by adapting Big Result Now (BRN) model in the government system.

He further said that the government is constructing and rehabilitating the terminal three at Mwalimu Nyerere International airport in order to accommodate approximately 6 million passengers daily.

Dr Mwinjaka noted that the ongoing central railway line projects in Tanzania are Dar-Isaka, Kigali-Keza and Musongati with a total investment of $4.891million.

He said that the upgrading of the Tanga- Arusha and the new line of Arusha to Musoma it’s currently estimation investment shoot up to $2.019 million which is in line of the East African Community Railway Master Plan.

According to him, the Ministry of Transport plans as well to develop the railway line from Ubungo to Kibaha about 40 km and Dar es Salaam to Bagamoyo 50 km with aim to tackle traffic jam in the city centre.

Dr Mwinjaka explained further that the government is looking forward to use other potential toll roads to reduce congestion of vehicles and the rising traffic jam in the Dar es Salaam region.

On his part when presenting his paper on practical support and initiatives for rail operators and governments, The World Bank, Senior Transport Specialist, Engineer, Yonas Mchomvu said that the governments in central and eastern Africa should work together with the private sector to deliver quality public service.

“It is therefore realize globally that the private sector is also an engine for economic growth in any given nation so it is importantly for the leaders and policy makers to take into consideration the role played by the private sector in the development of the infrastructure projects in the region,” he noted.

He said that the socio economic cost of the railway is less than road due to the fact that railway system can deliver quickly public services with minimum cost.

Engineer, Mchomvu said that although in the last few years the railway system was not performing well due to financial woes to most of the East African member states.

“In order to overcome these barriers in the region railway strategies should be progressive and sustainable while strong regulation is essential to ensure sound infrastructure system,” he underscored.

East African Community (EAC), Railway Technical Advisor, Engineer, Joster Onyango said that EAC has the total of 130 million people with the Growth Domestic Product (GDP) of $74.5 billion but this has come with no strong infrastructure system.

He said that the EAC regional infrastructure strategy in road, railway and airport design brings together five member states and pave the way for the investment developments through northern and central corridors.

Engineer, Onyango added that Africa needs an estimated $93 billion per year to develop its infrastructure, with two thirds required for new physical infrastructure such as roads and rail, and the remainder for maintenance and operations.

“Central and Northern corridors are African biggest channels of economic developments and investment in the region,” he added.

The 2014 Summit was endorsed by Tanzania’s Ministry of Transport and the Tanzania-Zambia Railway Authority (TAZARA).

The timely roll-out of sustainable infrastructure in the region coupled with private sector investment is the key to transforming Africa’s regional transport corridors into vibrant and efficient economic corridors.

With an improved transportation system, the time and cost of transporting goods could be reduced significantly to spur new economic growth in the regions, especially for the landlocked countries.

The 5th East & Central Africa Roads & Rail Infrastructure Summit 2014 assesses growth potential and investment opportunities while tackling challenges and obstacles to find solutions for boosting investor confidence, reviving stagnant projects and developing new projects.

Source URL: East African Business Week

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