TAZARA Act review team set up
THE governments of Zambia and Tanzania have resolved to set up a joint committee of experts to review the 1995 Tanzania Zambia Railway Act to instill efficiency in the cash-strapped Tanzania-Zambia Railway Authority (TAZARA).
And the Zambian Government has made a commitment to inject US$10 million into the revival of the jointly-owned railway firm.
According to an article in yesterday’s edition of Tanzania’s Daily News, Tanzanian minister of Transport, Harrison Mwakyembe told journalists in Dar es Salaam that once the Act was reviewed, it would allow to structure changes in TAZARA management.
This follows the TAZARA council of ministers’ meeting held on Monday this week where Zambia was represented by Transport, Works, Supply and Communication Minister Yamfwa Mukanga.
Currently, the 1975 Tazara Act which was reviewed in 1995 states that the position of managing director would be occupied by somebody from Zambia while that of deputy managing director is reserved for a Tanzanian.
Among other changes, the review may lead to a situation where the holders of the two positions would be appointed on merit as opposed to the current system.
And Mr Mukanga said in the Tanzanian commercial capital, Dar es Salaam on Monday that Zambia was committed to injecting $10 million for recapitalisation of the railway firm but that initially it would pump in $5 million to increase the volume of cargo and passengers.
According to the Daily News, Mr Mukanga, who was flanked by his Tanzanian counterpart, Dr Mwakyembe and other senior government officials from both countries, made the remarks shortly after the council meeting.
“Among problems facing Tazara is capitalisation; we made a provision for the funds during the current financial year to enable the railway to increase passengers and cargo,” Mr Mukanga, who is the chairperson of the council of ministers for TAZARA, was quoted as saying.
He said the Zambian Government was committed to ensuring that the once-prosperous 1,800 kilometre railway got back to its earlier footing and reclaim its market for cargo and passengers.
“During the meeting, we have also discussed on how to revise the TAZARA Act in the respective countries,” Mr Mukanga said.
A year-long feasibility study is currently underway to establish the problems that afflict the railway company that links the Dar es Salaam port in Tanzania to Kapiri Mposhi in Zambia’s Central Province.
The study has already started and it is expected to be completed in June, next year.
The once-thriving railway line started sinking in the mid-1990s.
TAZARA is a brainchild of founding Tanzanian President Julius Nyerere and Zambia’s first leader, Kenneth Kaunda.
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