DAR ES SALAAM: THE Tanzania Railways Corporation (TRC) has started assembling Metre Gauge Railway (MGR) locomotives locally, making Tanzania the first country in East Africa to undertake such an initiative.
The move has earned praise from the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Infrastructure.
During an inspection at the Pugu Railway Workshop yesterday, the committee urged TRC to continue enhancing the skills of Tanzanian youth involved in the project through advanced technical training, both locally and abroad.
Committee Chairperson Selemani Kakoso said investing in the professional development of local technicians will boost expertise, innovation and efficiency in the country’s railway sector.
He also urged TRC to prioritise employing the trained youth, allowing them to contribute fully to the corporation and national development.
Mr Kakoso commended TRC and its Director General, Eng Machibya Shiwa, describing the initiative as a historic milestone for Tanzania and the wider region.
The committee noted that the decision to assemble locomotives locally was partly due to delays in spare parts delivery from supplier SMH, caused by global supply chain disruptions linked to the Russia/Ukraine conflict.
Consequently, TRC imported two fully assembled locomotives from Malaysia, while the remaining components were shipped to Tanzania for assembly at Pugu.
The project has significantly reduced government costs that would have been incurred importing fully assembled locomotives. It has also created employment opportunities for skilled Tanzanian youth and supported local suppliers of industrial materials and services.
Deputy Minister for Transport David Kihenzile lauded the government’s continued investment in the transport sector, highlighting railway infrastructure expansion and acquisition of operational equipment.
He also praised President Samia Suluhu Hassan’s leadership, noting ongoing construction of more than 2,290 kilometres of Standard Gauge Railway (SGR) and procurement of rolling stock to enhance efficiency.
Earlier, TRC Director General Eng Machibya Shiwa told the committee that the MGR Class 91XX locomotive assembly project has already created jobs for 34 previously unemployed Tanzanian youth.
He added that the initiative is benefiting local businesses supplying materials and technical services, including machining, construction materials, electrical equipment, pipes, lubricants, rubber products and other industrial components.